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I have found with about 5 years experience with brass on eBay and 40 years in collecting brass models that this is the best route to go to get top dollar. With the large number of collectors and operators that bid on the eBay site the price you get will be very close to what the true value of the item is. Even if you price the item too low to start the normal flow of bidding witll get the engine up to where it should be. Some sellers start the price at $1 knowing that very quickly on the brass the price will get up to current value. Just be realistic in the price you initially set and you should do well. Selling a collection intact will generally get the lowest price as you have already eliminated 95% of the potential buyers by selling as a group due to most people would having no interest in purchasing a large group in one chunk. Dealers tend to buy with the intent of making a 30% mark-up on what they pay you so why not use eBay and keep the mark-up for yourself. Also if a dealer is buying a large collection such as you have the price again like an individual will be less than if they were purchasing only one or two engines. Bulk purchases and sales generally yield the least return. The 1960's brass is still popular and very reliable for operation. You might find that several cars and kits to be of collectible value also as prices have jumped quite a bit on wood kits, etc., from that time period. Might be worth considering selling some of the better cars or other items on an individual basis if you have the time and want to maximise your return. Again, eBay bidders will bring the prices up to where they should be on quality items. On run of the mill trains it would be best to take them to a local train meet. Track, switches, etc., will sell, just not for much. New building kits are very popular and many of the companies making the kits in the 60's and later are no longer in business. I would definitely market the new kits individually, again eBay will bring the prices close to what they should be. Rarely does something that is truly valuable sneak through very cheaply, just too many people interested in HO to let many bargains gets by. Better cars also might be individually sold and come out ahead. Condition is everything on all of your collection. If everything is intact, complete, nothing missing you will have no issues with sales. If any of the brass engines have been tampered with, paint defects, chips, etc., then prices will be reduced accordingly. Brass engines that have quite a few hours on them and show the wear on the wheels will also be worth much less than a mint in the box model. As was stated earlier the Brown Book can be a great source for information on what you own, but prices can sometimes be quite a bit off base as to actual dollars you might end up getting for the engine. At least it is a starting point and will give you a feel for what you have. You can easily check eBay and see what engines you own have been currently selling for. With so much brass on the site most of what you have will eventually show up for sale. Good luck with selling the collection. Walt
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