Sorry to cross-post but I am new here and apparently posted in the wrong forum initially.
I can't seem to cut and paste, but basically I have a 1950 American Flyer Circus set complete in the original box. It has been in storage for 30 years and barely used before that. I am missing 2 of the animal cages and the transformer, if it came with one., and the boxes are in rough shape, but other than that the engine and cars are in excellent shape, per a train store. They told me they almost never see one like mine. Also, I have all the original cardboard pieces and they are unpunched. A couple have fallen out but they are 99% there. Mine has the yellow flats. The exact model that was pictured in the greenberg book just sold on ebay for over $7000. I will probably sell mine, but I have never sold anything on ebay, just bought stuff for my kids. Any suggestions on setting a reserve, or anything else I can do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
This is the right place for O gauge, S gauge and Standard gauge.
I collect flyer how ever I do not know the value of the set other than with boxes and cardboard tent/background is worth more than with out those items.
If you decide to keep it there are reproductions of the circus wagons if if want to complete the set.
Diehard S gauger with a serious O gauge habit
Well being the other Flyer fanatics have not posted yet try
http://www.s-trains.com
Maybe someone there can help you figure out what it is worth.
The American Fly Circus set is highly sought after ($$$$). Do not expect to get $7000, one of the factors the one on ebay went so high is that it was used for the photo in a book about American Flyer trains, hence it has history.
I do not have access to my Greenberg books here at work (honest, I'm taking break)
but things that add value would be if the cars and loads are original and present (i.e. not missing), the cutout tent and circus adds a lot especially if the cardboard is in good or better condition.
The engine is a 353 if I'm not mistaken, these were very easy to get scratched up, if the paint is in good shape play that up. Boxes and set boxes will add value. I'll post more info when I can get to my books. If you would post some pics or send some to me, I would venture a GUESS. The circus set are going pretty reasonable right now on ebay, still out of my league though. With more info about the set we could guess and help you.
Jim
Thanks for the info. The engine is in great shape. A couple slight nicks, but the guy I had look at it thought it had been hardly used. Someone told me the tenders usually scratch easilly since they weren't primed, but mine looks great. I tried to add photos, but something about my pop up blocker is preventing it. I would be happy to email them. One of the flats has some dirt on it that didn't come up easilly with a wet towell, but I didn't want to push it too hard. A couple rust spots on under the flats, as well as on the pins that hold the wood blocks on the flats. Also, the flats are metal, not wood. As I said, I am missing 2 of the cages. I sent a request to ibuyoldtrains.com and he replied calling it "a crazy good looking set" but he asked about the color of the wheels on the trucks that pull the cages. Mine are black, and the ones in the greenberg book are blue. I don't see how mine could be fake, since it has been in my basement for 30 years, and the person who gave it to me barely touched it, so I don't think they would have gone to the trouble to find replacements back then, if they even existed at that time period. Hopefully that won't count against me, however. The one that sold on ebay recently had tickets, but I think mine are missing, although I am not sure what I am looking for. Since the cutouts are pretty brittle, I don't want to handle them too much or they could come loose.
Anyway, thanks for the help Jim et al.,
Ryan
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