For serious collectors, the aim is to own one of each. Some are relatively easy to find with a budget of $50; others such as the Climax patented by George W Brokaw of Lodi, New York, on May 11, 1869, will cost much more.
This is one of only a few lathe-style apple peelers in which the knife is stationary. Instead, the fruit is mounted via a fork on a revolving turntable. This mechanical marvel is known from only a handful of examples and very rarely comes for sale.
The version offered at on June 5, Butterscotch Auction (25% buyer’s premium) in Bedford, NY with a guide of $150-300 came for sale by descent from ‘an important South Salem collector’.
Mounted on a contemporary custom-fitted wooden stand, it hammered for $6000 (£4750). The last example previously sold had made $4800.
