Bruce Greenberg's new Lionel O Gauge Book

When did this actually ship? I remember ordering one a years or so ago, but have not seen it.

RoyBoy posted:

When did this actually ship? I remember ordering one a years or so ago, but have not seen it.

Got mine a few weeks ago. You better check with Bruce.

Steve

If you have an interest in early Lionel O gauge, or Lionel trains in general, you really need this excellent addition to your reference library.

Bruce sent out reminders to arrange payment prior to shipping.  Many of us put a $5 deposit down, so if you did, you should have received a reminder to call with your credit card or send a check.

I received mine about a week ago. 

Thanks to Bruce Greenberg and all of the contributors for their efforts.  The degree of detail is exceptional.  The amount of effort involved in identifying, photographing, and cataloging the information is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.  This book is an important reference work.

Not knowing much about older Lionel trains I purchased one about 2 weeks ago......OMG!!!!....there is just sooo much to read and sooo much info...it has opened up a whole new interest in the hobby for me....and I can't wait for Vol II.....but there is enough to read in Vol 1 that I can wait it out.....just fascinating stuff down to couplers use, wheel alignments, different types of brake wheels used.....and so much more...well worth the purchase price for sure..

Not from the Greenburg book, but from 1934 and 1936 Lionel catalogs I "Re-found" the past weekend..... enjoy.

Jesse    TCA  12-68275

I purchased a copy even though the book covers a period that I do not actively collect.  I do have a couple of pieces that are in the book, and I am looking forward to comparing my items to what is in the book so I can better identify what I have.

Looks like it is a worthy addition to my library. I am looking forward to the next volume!

It's not cheap, $100.

$100 is actually pretty inexpensive for a book that has so many color illustrations and a small number produced.  In my view, of course.

I purchased a copy of Greenberg's price guide to Lionel trains years ago. While it was interesting and informative, it didn't take long to find out that he was way off!  I would describe it as a very optimistic look at train prices.

Dennis LaGrua posted:

I purchased a copy of Greenberg's price guide to Lionel trains years ago. While it was interesting and informative, it didn't take long to find out that he was way off!  I would describe it as a very optimistic look at train prices.

This book is WAY more than a price guide. In fact, although price ranges are listed, that is of far less importance in this volume than the tremendous amount of information presented. Nothing published in the past comes even close.

Dennis LaGrua posted:

I purchased a copy of Greenberg's price guide to Lionel trains years ago. While it was interesting and informative, it didn't take long to find out that he was way off!  I would describe it as a very optimistic look at train prices.

Yes, I see those items on the auction site - and they Do Not Sell.

eddie g posted:

It's not cheap, $100.

And worth every penney, Eddie. Once you see it, I imagine you will agree.

I purchased a copy of Greenberg's price guide to Lionel trains years ago. While it was interesting and informative, it didn't take long to find out that he was way off!  I would describe it as a very optimistic look at train prices.

For a while there were an awful lot of folks who thought the Greenberg price guides were a bible on prices. New volumes with revised prices came out rather frequently and sold well.
Today those books while certainly not error free, are a good reference for information other than pricing.

I would not put any trust in any price guide pricing, other than to identify that one variation is considered to be more valuable than another (by the price guide authors).

IMHO the best reference for current pricing is EBay, if you can find several examples of completed sales with the item in appropriate condition.

As for Greenberg's new book: I purchased it for the information it has about the trains. I did not realize there were prices listed. I guess they are good for relative values.  Across the boards, prices on most collectables are dropping. I don't care what a price guide says an item is worth. I know what I am willing to pay for any given item, and what I want to get on items I'd like to sell.

It looks like I purchased the standard gauge book. That's what's in my library. Could someone provide ordering information for the O gauge book, please?

This is a guide that no serious modeler should be without.

I don't understand why he added prices in the book.

C W Burfle posted:

For a while there were an awful lot of folks who thought the Greenberg price guides were a bible on prices. New volumes with revised prices came out rather frequently and sold well. Today those books while certainly not error free, are a good reference for information other than pricing.

Back in the pre-Internet days, we (Greenberg Books) put a lot of effort into trying to present realistic values (ALWAYS with an included cautionary note/advisory) for trains in our guides. I say "our" guides because for a time I was managing editor of Greenberg Books and helped to oversee the efforts put into those volumes.

In this era of eBay and other online sources, it's a bit more of a crap shoot. Frankly, although I was a regular on eBay back in the early days, I rarely even look at it now. Too cumbersome and loaded with fees and rules. I actually have done far better just selling my excess trains on our own OGR forum, which has worked very well for me. My prices have always been fair--perhaps overly fair according to some--and with a bit of patience everything I ever listed has eventually sold. I usually don't make much, if anything, but it does free-up space for more trains. I just price items at what I feel is a fair price, without unrealistic expectations.

eddie g posted:

I don't understand why he added prices in the book.

Many times it's at the insistence of the publishers. Many times they will not publish a book without price guides, since they insist that price guides are the only books that sell. These are book publishers, not toy train fans.

Thanks for the link Fred. I just ordered my copy.

I just ordered it from Kalmbach.  20 years from now you will be able to buy it for $25.

OK, I will wait

eddie g posted:

I don't understand why he added prices in the book.

Because a significant number of people want them.

eddie g posted:

I just ordered it from Kalmbach.  20 years from now you will be able to buy it for $25.

Not according to the guide ......

See, also, the original string regarding the new Greenberg prewar O gauge guide:

https://ogrforum.com/...plate-books-volume-1

To think even for one moment that this beautiful new hardbound book is a "price guide" is to utterly miss the point of this excellent resource. I continue to be amazed that folks who will drop hundreds (if not thousands) to acquire a vintage train resist buying the relatively affordable requisite literature to make an informed purchase. This book is great reading and essential toy train history.

Happy reading.

Bob

eddie g posted:

I just ordered it from Kalmbach.  20 years from now you will be able to buy it for $25.

No, it will be at least $450 because of the limited numbers. However, neither you nor I will likely be around to see how it does, Eddie! 

RoyBoy posted:

eddie g posted:

I don't understand why he added prices in the book.

Many times it's at the insistence of the publishers.

Not this time, though. This book is self-published by Bruce Greenberg. No outside influence in that regard.

They simply have to be there to drive a certain value proposition for the reader.   Look, they are at best a guideline for relative values.  The prices do reflect the decline in the market for non-excellent or common pieces.  The high quality and or desirable pieces reflect current prices.  They cover sold pieces in auctions, eBay, private sales, just about all methods. They are about as accurate as they can be. East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast considerations for all of it.

The book is meant to be a reference work, much more so than a price guide. Prices fluctuate too much to be more than a snapshot of the market at the time the book was written. I went to the study group this past weekend.... over 750 photos in one day on just the 255, 260, 261, 262, 263 locomotives.  6 hours of study and conversation and learning, from collectors with hundreds of years of experience.

Volumes II and III will be something special.

Received my $100. book today. It was mailed parcel select on the 19th.  It took 10 days to get to me. it was shipped to me in a cardboard mailer. All the corners of the book were pushed in. I will take it to York in hopes that Kalmbach will be selling them there. I will trade it for a different one.  If not, I will send it back to them when I return from York.

eddie g posted:

Received my $100. book today. It was mailed parcel select on the 19th.  It took 10 days to get to me. it was shipped to me in a cardboard mailer. All the corners of the book were pushed in. I will take it to York in hopes that Kalmbach will be selling them there. I will trade it for a different one.  If not, I will send it back to them when I return from York.

Eddie:

Please contact Bruce directly (I'm surprised you didn't do that in the first place, before posting here). I believe the contact info is in the book. I can assure you that he will take care of getting a replacement to you.

Received my $100. book today. It was mailed parcel select on the 19th.  It took 10 days to get to me. it was shipped to me in a cardboard mailer. All the corners of the book were pushed in. I will take it to York in hopes that Kalmbach will be selling them there. I will trade it for a different one.  If not, I will send it back to them when I return from York.

Bummer. I purchased mine directly from Greenberg. It also was shipped in a cardboard mailer. No damage.

As many here already know, I worked for Bruce Greenberg back in the late 80s and early 90s and we have been good friends over all the years since. Bruce is fully committed to customer satisfaction (always was), so if you received a damaged copy of the book, please get in touch with him directly. He will make sure that you get an undamaged copy to replace the damaged one. The way shippers handle stuff these days, it's no great surprise that, inevitably, something will arrive banged up.

Got mine a few weeks ago.  Took less then a week to receive it. No damage.  Guess it all depends on where you live and who handles the package.  Like any othe job some take it more seriously then others.  Once you have your new copy in hand I am sure you will appreciate it.  It has opened a whole new interest in the hobby for me. Enjoy!!

Blame the post office, not Bruce. I got my two books a month apart in 3 days. But I don't live in Maine.  I called Bruce both times to order and he was super nice.

When is Volume 2 coming out?

Has anyone asked Bruce directly.

If no one has, I will.

He is working on it...Perhaps by fall York time... I sent him a mail asking him tonight.