I am seeking to buy some seed to grow a giant pumpkin. I would like to
buy seed from the current and recent world record holders. A list of
the top ten record holders names, contact numbers etc.with seed for
sale showing the weight of their record pumpkins would suffice as an
answer

hi there

Most pumpkineers'(ie: pumpkin engineers') websites point to this web
page as a reliable source for the names of growers of the world's
largest pumpkins: www.backyardgardener.com/pre.html

Unlike other lists, this compiles results from a variety of different
contests, including some open to international growers (although as
yet no non-US grower appears to have come close to the record).

Unfortunately, this list could do with a little updating (which can be
forgiven as this year's pumpkin winners have only recently been
announced).

Some of this year's additions to the exclusive "Club 1000" for growers
of pumpkins weighing over one thousand pounds are not listed. You can
view the 2002 growers here: www.pumpkinnook.com/giants/club1000.htm

Putting both sets of results together probably gives you a good
rundown of the top 10 world record holders, however, you may prefer to
focus on the 2002 list.

The current world record holder is pictured here:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=1555&gid=24 and you
can see it carved here: 
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=1784&gid=24

Almost all giant pumpkins come from the same basic seed stock, as
described in this recommended set of tips on how to grow a giant
pumpkin:
www.backyardgardener.com/wcgp/tips/10steps/10steps.html

"If you want to grow a world-record pumpkin, you can forget about
every variety of pumpkin out there except Howard Dill's patented
Atlantic Giant. Since 1979, no other pumpkin variety has been a world
champion."

Howard Dill's patented Atlantic Giant seeds are available directly
from his website at www.howarddill.com

Seeds from the record pumpkins themselves, even this year's crop,
would be available from individual record pumpkin gowers at their own
discretion. There is no place where their contact details are listed.
Contributing to forums on any of the pumpkin sites mentioned might get
you an idea of how likely they are to sell or donate seeds, and how to
proceed.

However, there is one record pumpkin seed donation bank where you can
ask for seeds from a selection of public-spirited record-breaking
growers. This is at www.bigpumpkins.com/seeds.asp

Good luck with the pumpkins !

Thank You Sidegrinder

Your asistance is very much appreciated. Please post as an answer.

If the intent of your question is to acquire seeds to grow world
record pumpkins, look for the same seeds used to grow those world
record pumpkins. Although the seed from a current world record pumpkin
has the potential of growing an equally as large or larger pumpkin,
there is no guarrantee that the seeds from that pumpkin hold that
potential. However, the seed that grew the world record has already
demonstrated the ability to grow very large pumpkins, and if a world
record is what you're after, this is the place to start.

The current World Record is a 1442 pound pumpkin grown by Al Eaton. He
grew this pumpkin using seed from his own 842 pound pumpkin,
therefore, an 842 Eaton holds the potential to grow a very large
pumpkin. A lot of other seeds are available with the potential of
growing large pumpkins, although they may not have come from or grown
world records. This link provides a lot of information including the
top 20 seeds based on progeny.
http://aggc.1wh.com/NonMembersMenu.asp

Other links of interest include:

www.cwpg.org (pumpkin seed auction currently underway)
www.bigpumpkins.com (live seed auctions and raffles held on this site,
see links for seeds available and dates. Also provides a lot of
growing information).