Selling railroad collectibles ??

[moparlvr4406]

I have LOTS of really unusual stuff from the Monon rail line
some really rare
Dishes and flatware and a centennial record shot glasses playing cards post cards swizzel sticks Etc.
and some FULL shot whiskey bottles from the passenger line.
where would be a good place to advertise them for sale :huh:
Ebay just seems too sporatic as to what is available and I don't want to just give them away
but don't want to scare off people with a high reserve..cause I really don't know what the stuff
is worth.
Any alternates to Ebay ??

 

[jason78]

Ebay is probably the best place to post it. I don't particularly like them either but they have the buyers.

You might want to search around for a forum such as this one for RR collectables. Someone can probably help you understand what you have and the value. If you post it openly on a forum you can trust the opinion you get more since there are checks and balances by multiple members interacting with you rather than dealing with someone you don't know one on one.

Sounds what you have would fall into at least two categories of collectables, train memorabilia and stoneware collectables, for the dishes alone. Meaning that a plate you have for example may be more valuable to a stoneware collector than a train memorabilia collector. Ebay will give you the largest possible pool of buyers to market to. If anything you have has value, chances are the right people will notice and get you the right price if it is listed properly.

 

[moparlvr4406]

The full logo'd shot whiskey bottles are my biggest concern
Can't Ebay those legally and they may well be the most valuable peices of the lot.

 

[northern]

Pawn Shop on TV you get to be on TV.

 

[searay40dad]

you could call the Monon RR museum. they might know collectors or have ideas.

 

[moparlvr4406]

you could call the Monon RR museum. they might know collectors or have ideas.

Thats an idea Tim
I donated alot of stuff to the Monroe county Museum in 1999 but don't think they have ever displayed it since

 

[jason78]

Thats an idea Tim
I donated alot of stuff to the Monroe county Museum in 1999 but don't think they have ever displayed it since

I am all about donating to museums but I have heard too many stories where donated items just sit in a warehouse and collect dust. The subject comes up from time to time in collecting communities I am involved with. It seems like they don't know how to say "no" to things they don't really want or have room to display. Loaning items to a museum seems like a better choice if you go that route with anything else. At least then you can get it back at some point.

 

[MonacoMike]

Jim, get them appraised, donate to Monon RR museum and take the tax deduction. If you have a lot of cool stuff, coop with the museum at one of their fundraiser dinners to auction the stuff off. You must think out of the box to find the folks that really value this stuff. You also could set up eBay auctions and see if the museum would promote it to their members and supporters so it stays local.

MM

 

[moparlvr4406]

Can you email me some photos of what you have? My uncle-in-law is an avid collector and might be interested in what you have, and would most definitely be able to tell you what your stuff is worth. My email address is my screen name plus @msn.com

I will Scott
I have a few neat pieces at home the rest are at Dad's down south
will send the ones I have at home soon.
thanks :thumbsup:

 

[dwna1a]

Jim, I sold most if not all of my collection last year. A local antique dealer bought all of my stuff. Cards, steam whistles, marbles from club cars, you name it ... I know that's not much help, just an idea

 

[northern]

Do not the the Pawn Shop try this

http://www.monon.org/