Boxes

[LocoPops]

I've run model trains off and on for years, but have only recently done any reading about it.  So I guess I'm not very knowledgeable.  But I'm seeing that boxes seem to be very important.  The most tattered box in the world apparently is better than no box at all.  And it seems to greatly affect the value of a piece.

I've never, ever paid any attention to the boxes.  I've thrown them out when they got too ragged and never gave it a thought.

Is this an important aspect for most train guys?  ...for the members of this forum? 

[J. Daddy]

Always keep the box! If you want to uphold the value of your trains, But do not leave your trains in the box! Get them up on the shelves or get them running!

Everyone has a different thought on collecting trains, mint in the box and never opened seems sad to me, why own it? I keep all the boxes under the layout and all trains not running on the layout on display....." border="0" />

 

 

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[Jumijo]

I keep some, but not all of the new boxes, and all of the old ones.

Jim

[traindaddy1]

J. Daddy:  I agree.    (After seeing your post, I wish I were "J. Daddy" instead of "Traindaddy". Beautiful display and collection.) Thanks for sharing.

[phillyreading]

Sometimes when you go to sell a Lionel train a collector will ask for the original box. Also on ebay one time I saw where a set of boxes(no trains)went for over $1000.00(that's right one thousand dollars U.S. money), it was for a very expensive post war set.

Lee F.

[LocoPops]

J. Daddy,

Wow! What a collection. Beautiful.

[J. Daddy]

Thanks... but I cannot take credit for them, my Dad collected these when I was a kid. I have added a few sets, and I am still searching through boxes and adding more shelves. these are still in progress... found a scale switcher B6 set still have not gotten up on the shelves but here is  what is in progress........" border="0" />" border="0" />

[envfocus]

I agree with the advice of keeping the boxes, but playing with the trains.  I buy only prewar stuff and I always ask if the seller has a box because it helps to authenticate the piece.  It doesn't guarantee it to be original, but it can be another line of evidence that piece is original or it may even give insight to its history (what store it came from, dates, etc.).  For me, I will always pay a little more for something that comes with a box.  That said, its insane to think someone would pay $1,000 for a box.

[billbarman]

I keep all the boxes to my engines and rolling stock. It might be worth soemthing one day. thats the way I see it.

[USNRol]

No childhood should be without a train

...or the box it came in eh?

Roland

[billbarman]

  Thats how it works with me.

[darianj]

...That said, its insane to think someone would pay $1,000 for a box.

Maybe, but I have to co-sign what phillyreading said.  I've seen a few instances where someone has paid over $1000 for a box.  Maybe some people just don't have anything better to do with their money!

[BDT in Minnesota]

Ya, on eBay I have watched  a box for a 700E go for $1400, a Lionel set box go for over $3800 and anouther set box for a Sears limited edition set from 1963  that went for over $5300.....Well; I was watching but not bidding.....I was totally floored... The same  scenerio goes for Barbie Doll collections, the box is worth more than the doll in many cases.

[jschmid]

LocoPops,

It depends on what you want to collect and supply vs. demand.  I collect Postwar Lionel so my comments are based on this era, but are most likely appropriate to other eras as well.

The trains were made of metal and plastic and hold up better than the boxes they came in.  A train has to go through a lot before somebody would discard it.  So even a low production item likely still exists in some condition.  The supply slowly decreases over time.

The boxes on the other hand were often damaged or discarded.  As for individual items, if you don't have the box, the item still has value.  Same goes for a set, but you need the set box to "officially" say you have the set.  Postwar set boxes didn't survive as well, especially since many sets were shipped in their individual boxes and dealers frequently split up sets to sell individual items.  The supply of collector grade boxes decreases faster than the items.

Also, it seems if you ever need to find water, place an expensive box where you need the water.  They are magnets for water.  The trains may survive, but a water damaged box is worth a lot less.

I did a lot of research on set boxes and prices and my books are the only books I know of that price the items with and without the box.  I also price the box individually.  I have a whole section on my book about boxes, their value, how to collect and grade.

Boxes, like many other collectibles, are just another aspect of the hobby.  There will continue to be a market for these because many are harder to find than the item they protected.  But, as we all know, you can't collect everything.

Hope this helps,

John Schmid - Author - Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Promotional Outfits 1960 - 1969

www.projectroar.com

[Jumijo]

Boxes, like many other collectibles, are just another aspect of the hobby.  There will continue to be a market for these because many are harder to find than the item they protected.  But, as we all know, you can't collect everything.

That's how I feel. If the piece I buy has a box, that's great. But if it doesn't, it makes no difference to me. I am in this hobby for the trains, not the boxes. Boxes only seem to matter at resale time. Until then, they just take up space. But if boxes are your thing, more power to you.

Jim 

[palallin]

Maybe, but I have to co-sign what phillyreading said.  I've seen a few instances where someone has paid over $1000 for a box.  Maybe some people just don't have anything better to do with their money!

 

Perhaps, but I have seen boxes add significantly more than that to the value of the trains that are in them.