Trying to help a friend place a value

The 1835EW came as Outfit #366 from 1935-39. The 310, 309 and 312 were typically Aluminum over light blue. In very good condition approximately $1000.

The master carton #347 does not match the the loco description and cars. The cab in the middle sounds like either a 10 or a 318, plus it sounds like either was either a repaint or the paint was stripped in the middle. Common passenger cars of the period of the master carton were #8 w/337, 338; #318 w/309, 310, 312; #10 w/332, 339, 341.

The freight cars were probably separate purchase items.

Ron M

Walt the 347 outfit was the one with the #8 loco and 337/338. You state light green so its most likely the most common light olive color with the loco either stripped of paint or repainted with silver. This set in real nice shape without a repainted or stripped loco will only bring about $300 on a good day.

The 1835E is also a common but handsome loco. It depends a lot on condition especially of the castings, and paint/finish as well as the variation to determine a value. Typically this loco struggles to bring $400. The 309, 310, 312 cars it all depends on the color which you did not allude to. These came in a lot of common colors such as Pea Green/Orange, Light Blue/Silver, and some very desirable colors like the Dark Blue/Cream set from 1934. Again, actual condition is critical irregardless of color.

Ron is correct in that the 516 and 512 were purchased separately and did not come in either of the outfits that seem to be here.

Gandy

Put them on Ebay...if you really want to know the value.  Pictures and a detailed description...that's the ticket.  Perfect is not a great adjective for trains made in 1933.  Let the World look at them!!!

I will relay everyone's comments to him.  I will also stress to him that if he's serious about selling them on-line then pictures are a must.  If he is allowed to sell them on his own (and give the money back to the estate) I'll see if I can interest him in selling them on this board.

If anyone in particular is interested, email me, OK? (rapp.walt@gmail.com)

- walt

quote:

The fellow says that except for the track being slightly tarnished everything is in perfect condition.

No offense intended, but folks outside the hobby (and even some foks inside) very commonly over estimate condition.  In order to establish a value, a true grading needs to be done.

IMHO, there is no better place to look for value estimates than Ebay, provided that there are enough Ebay auctions to get a range of closing prices, and there are auctions of merchandise in similar condition. 

Sometimes it is easier to put down a retail value for the Probate.

We have had to do this for many items left behind once some time ago.

As others have stated, pictures are very useful, absolute necessary when selling or recording the items. The market value will be what someone wants for that item, that day.

If several 'someones' are present and all want the same item, it will carry the value higher.

Listing these items as a "Estate Sale" and other considerations may help you in the long run.

Thanks again for the additional comments and advice.  I'll be seeing him Sunday morning at breakfast.  I'll stress the picture part.

- walt