South Dakota Collector Chases the Gold

By Luann Dart
​Note: This feature is in the December TF 2021 issue.

Click image to view this issue.

Christopher Malsam's foray into collecting farm toys began March 16, 1991. That's the day his parents, Conrad and Jacquelin Malsam, arrived in Aberdeen, S.D., for his birth. With Jacquelin in the early stages of labor, a nurse suggested the couple attend a local farm toy show to walk around for a bit.
At the show, Conrad became a farm toy collector after purchasing a set of state tractors offered by Scale Models. 
Today, Christopher, who is 30 years old, and his father share much more than the story of his birth. The two partner in a construction company, Malsam Carpentry in Hosmer, S.D., and attend toy shows together, eyeing the latest models and visiting with other collectors.
And, Christopher jokes, the same conversation often arises as they meet other farm toy collectors year-to-year. 
"How are the crops?"
"We still don't farm. We're still doing construction," Christopher replies.

Want to read the story?  
It's available in the DECEMBER TF 2021 magazine!
​CLICK HERE to: SUBSCRIBE