The $150-250 was for a set of ones I have observed the last couple yrs. I
believe the just mailed Colorado RR Museum auction catalog has a set for bid
(or it may be the 1 vol Documentary History, I forget which)
Our CB&Q Yahoo group founder, Dave Lotz (thanks again Dave!) early on indicated
this site should not be used to constantly pitch what one sees on eBay, etc
which I fully respect. I would share this though, whether you are acquiring
RRiana (or vintage models) from eBay, a RR show, a BRHS meet, local bobby shop
or antique store, an estate sale or a ret'd Q employee (or widow), "value" is
in the eye of the beholder. Except for the very esoteric or very rare items,
there generally can be found an existing range of prices based on recent sales.
(and of course condition is a factor to consider) However if you need that ONE
timetable, pass, annual report, brochure, lantern model or china piece and it
some how always seems to evade you, then by all means pay more. On the other
hand, if it's something you can do without for awhile or you know will show up
again, then wait for a better price. Patience is a virtue but then one also
needs to know when they see a bargain or when the item seldom is available.
Auctions, esp. eBay, can have great swings in price. I have seen a common pass
or timetable go for double for what it should and also have seen scarce items
go for a song. From my viewpoint many menus are now overbid as are some
calendars; on the other hand some older timetables and china is at a bargain on
eBay. Ditto for RR shows Some dealers are always high, hoping against hope,
that high-roller will come along or a 'newbie' who believes 1950 TT's always
sell for $20. Private collectors tend to be more realistic and the best deals
can be made from someone who is largely a model seller who happens to also have
a calendar to sell or a RRiana seller who happens to have a metal Athearn Q
reefer. AGAIN, consider condition and scarcity. Any post-WWI TT can
eventually be found, ditto for 1900's passes and most brochures. China depends
on pattern & whether its backstamped and lanterns which model, etc. I did a
clinic on Q collectibles back at the St. Louis Annual & perhaps it time for
another to share the vast range of Burlington items and which seemingly
"common" ones are unique and which 'rare' ones may not be as rare as a Seller
might tell you. Fortunately BR fans benefit from two factors: The Q was in
the top tier of RR's handing out all sorts of marked goodies to customers,
freight & passenger, AND secondly, only a couple have been re-proed such as the
1878 & a 1920's TT. When you are a fan of a corporation (note I said a Corp.,
not a RR) that goes 106 yrs without missing a dividend, something only a
handful of corporations could brag about, you can afford to give out a LOT of
nice items over the years. New comers should be aware of "cinderallas" - i.e.
seemingly marked CB&Q items that never existed pre-1970: certain key chains,
mugs, calendars and glassware, etc. Caveat Emptor! Gerald
-
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CBQ/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CBQ/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
CBQ-digest@yahoogroups.com
CBQ-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
CBQ-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|