Vintage collection

[Anonymous]

I am currently examining an documenting the type, condition, etc. of the locomotives. If any have more than 1 hour of run time I would be surprised. I should have a list with photos available by 1/15. I have been sorting the rolling stock and will have photos and a list by the end of the month.
Many of the building kits are still sealed. There are many Suydam kits. I also have aprox. 50-60 books and will have a list available by the end of the week as well.
If anyone is interested in a list please e-mail [e-mail].

Thanks

[tatans]

One question you must realize that brass stored from 35 to 50 years will have deteriorated to some permanent damage not only to the motors and drive gear but with the rotting of the foam packing there can be actual pitting in the brass, this information
should be noted in the description of the item. I assume you are not a model railway fan?

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

I might be interested in some of the pieces. If you have a list and could e-mail it to me at [e-mail] I'd like to look at it.

I'd offer my opinion, as to price, if you are interested, as long as you remember I'm not a dealer.

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Anonymous]

If the unassembled Building kits are in orginal boxes with instructions and are resonably complete.. they can be quite in demand.

[orsonroy]

The brass is worth money, everything else is probably NOT. I'd Ebay the brass and take everything else to a local hobby swapmeet, price nothing over $10, and get rid of it.

[knewsom]

I have a friend in Dallas whose company Lonestar Toys buys collections like this. I am not sure what they pay, but I know that they could handle the volume. There is also a couple of ads in the classified section of Model Railroader every month with people who will "pay top dollar".

I agree that you will definitely make more money if you sell them yourself but if you don't have the time or patience these may be a good bet. I would be interested in learning what you have as I may be interested in one or two for my collection. If you have a list of what you have you can send me an email at [e-mail].

Have fun,
Kevin

[IRONROOSTER]

You could also look at hobby shops that sell brass on consignment such as http://www.caboosehobbies.com/ to get some idea of selling price. Also, some hobby shops sell on consignment and there are businesses that will take care of selling for you on ebay, don't know what they charge though.
Enjoy
Paul

[CNJ831]

There has been only one reasonably reliable brass locomotive price reference book available over the years and that is the Brown Book, now in its 3rd edition. However, the latest edition is terribly out of date and most listed values fall far short of what the going prices are today. The best advice for finding current values, as slow and time consuming as it may be, is to refer to selling prices for the same/similar engines on eBay.

There are currently no published values for brass rolling stock nor non-brass items. Structure kits or built-up structures, unless by FSM, don't bring very much and it is difficult to determine if the kits are 100% complete ubless still sealed or, in the case of built-ups, can survive shipping.

Unless you are in a great hurry to divest yourself of the collection, I would suggest selling it piece by piece. Certainly, you'll get much more for it that way.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

I would personally sell piece by piece, you'll get more and the kits are worth money. If you are totally unsure get them appraised.

[Anonymous]

I have my father's collection of HO trains that I am currently cataloging. I don't think there is anything newer than early 70's. It includes about 40 brass locomotives(most of the respected Japanese manufacturers) hundred(s) of freight cars, 30-40 passenger cars and many building kits. None of this equipment has ever been run on a layout. Most are in original boxes (stored since the 70's). If I decide to sell these items, what would be the best way? Are there individuals that would be interested in the entire collection? Should I sell piece by piece. I have been looking at reference guides for the locomotives but I am having a hard time valuing the rolling stock. Are building kits (all complete unassembled) worth anything?

Thanks