Lionel Display Layout on e-bay

[Anonymous]

Considering that new repros of this cost 1/3rd the final bid, I guess this was reasonable to someone. What amazed me was someone paying $407. on eBay last week for a clearly described reproduction cardboard animated dealer display that I had just bought at a train show for $59.! Joe

[Anonymous]

$500.00 for shipping !?
I bet if the winner could pay that much he could probably pick up. I know if I had that kinda green I would deffenetly hide it from the wife or she would want to remodel (( and not my train room))
Jim D.
a.k.a. SOCKO

[philo426]

They are quite rare and to find one in such good,complete shape probably accounts for the hefty price.I imagine it will have to be shipped by truck with heavy insurance coverage!

[mickey4479]

I understand that this train hobby/interest has a place for almost everybody. Collecting, electrical, modeling, running, hanging with the folks with similar interests etc... There is so much product that Lionel produced over the years that to have a "complete collection" would be tough to achieve. Do you really think there are folks that have "one of everything" Lionel produced? Besides the speculative nature of collecting, do any collectors have museums to display their Lionel collections to the general public?

[Buckeye Riveter]

You can't take it with you, so that's why we run 'em.

[Anonymous]

$17,600. It looks like our estimates were high. I agree with railmail that had it been sold at a major auction house instead of ebay, it would have gone much higher. But, I suppose that this way it gave access to people who might not have been able to afford it otherwise. Just because you can afford to spend $17,600 on a Lionel display, that doesn't mean you can afford $30,000.

By the way, did anybody notice the shipping price? $500!

[Anonymous]

That is KILLER! I had one of those bases (no layout, no shelving, no semaphore - just the red deal the trains run through with the lettering one it)) I bought in an antique store that someone gave me $750.00 for a few years ago. My guess is 24,000-26,000 when the last second clicks by. Based on its condition and rarity (not restored,complete), it is acually pretty reasonable at 16.5K; there might not be another one this nice out there ANYPLACE. If you have the money to play, this one would be worth fighting for.

IMO, an item like this should have gone through Stout, Maurer, or some other auction gallerys who could have given it more exposure to a greater number of buyers through magazine ads; there are only a handful of serious buyers at this level and one week on eBay may not find them. Of course, the owner appears to know enough about these things that he may have contacted the heavy hitters who advertise looking for this stuff to let them know it was coming, In a hyperventilated auction environment, I could see this one bringing 50K plus. Regardless, I would like to see some provence from the store that owned it (letters, photos) and hear a good story behind how it made it to 2006 in this condition. Very cool...

[darianj]

That is NUTS!!!!!

[Anonymous]

About a year back, I saw on Ebay an old Lionel ferris wheel type display that sold for $25,000....

[pbjwilson]

I don't know. This guy "Madison23rd" really wants this thing. Check out the stuff he buys. I'd bet he goes all the way with this one. $36,000 is my guess.

[Anonymous]

Worth $16 grand to someone, I suppose, but certainly not to me (even if I had a spare $16,000 laying around).

All it takes is a willing seller and an eager buyer. A shill or two to up the bids doesn't hurt, either.

[prewardude]

It ain't prewar. Bummer. [|(]

[Anonymous]

All I can say is WOW! To find a display like that in such perfect condition is just unbelievable! I wouldn't be at all surprised if the price doubled by the end of the auction.

[tjsprague]

I saw one in much worse shape go for $8000 a couple years ago at a NETTE auction. So you got to figure there's someone out ther with lots of money, and all the trains, the dealer layout is a natural. Good luck to the new owner. I hope it brings happiness.

Tim

[Anonymous]

KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT !! near the end of the auction to see who wants it more!!!!!!!!!

JIm D.
a.k.a. SOCKO

[dbaker48]

That is unbelivable !! It is interesting when you look at the bid history !!!

[cmrj]

All I can say is there is a wife out there,that has no idea about the second mortgage on the house. Mike

[DCmontana]

Its rare, collectors like it, and there is one born every minute!

[LS1Heli]

I have no idea why someone would pay $15,000 + for that.

[mitchelr]

[:0] Holy cow Batman... That's a lot of money, but it is one cool display. I bet a lot of old time Lionel dealers are wishing they had bought a few and put them in storage for their retirement fund[;)] Who could have known?[:D]

[pbjwilson]

Anyone following this auction. It's gettin pretty wacky.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6034065695&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1