Posted 12 years ago
annie2012
(1 item)
Found this at the bottom of a big box lot I purchased at an auction - SCORE! I know a little bit about trains, but not much. The top of the very fragile box reads "American Flyer" Manufacturing @ 2219 to 2239 So. Halsted St. Chicago, Ill. Miniature Railroads and has a faded drawing of what reminds me of a Victorian-era couple watching their two young children play with the train. Inside the box I also found a very old Christmas die-cut "Best Christmas Wishes" gift tag with Santa riding behind a loco. It was apparently a special gift for "Joseph".
I'm thinking this is very early AF, definitely pre-1918 due to the box address and possibly early Edmonds-Metzel? Wind-up steam loco is painted cast iron? The key is intact and the wind-up mechanism still works - the front two wheels turn. The set also includes a tin litho 1107 passenger car, a 328 coal tender and various track pieces.
I would love to know the provenance of this piece! My joy in finding such treasures is imagining the history behind them.
What are your thoughts on this item? Would love to learn more from some knowledgeable collectors and train enthusiasts!
How did I miss this? This little set is awesome! I love the early stuff, and this certainly is early.
Likely dates from between 1910 when Edmonds-Metzel were removed from the brand entirely and the name of the company producing these was changed to "American Flyer Manufacturing Company" and 1918 with he advent of AF's electrified trains.
Here is a box with a little more of the graphics viable: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2929631
Hi Dr_Rambow. I have this on ebay but not takers. One guy wrote and said that the pieces are not all original to the box - only the engine and track. Would love to know what you think - I am quite surprised there have been no takers so perhaps he is correct?
Hmm, I'm not really a train guy, so I can't tell you the date of the individual models themselves, at least not without more research. I went and found your listing, which had some much better pictures. The matter of difference does not appear to be too extreme, though. Probably within a few years, just from quick comparisons.
I think your problem is not the content, but the price. Yes the item is neat and the box is a cool addition, but the condition really brings this down. Recent sales of early sets like this do not come close, your price is greater than the sum of it's parts.
I did find a similar set - same box and engine - that sold a couple months back for $575, so that is how I loosely determined the price. But it is just a number really as I used the "Make an Offer" option. I am perplexed that I have only had one offer and it was ridiculously low at $50. I think I will lower the "suggested" price and see if that helps any.
Thanks for your input - it really is appreciated!
I'm guessing that set was in much nicer shape, yes? I think you might have a shot at a high price if the box were really nice. To be honest, it is difficult to even display since the box is so darkened.
I still think it's a neat set, though probably more suitable (price wise) to beginner collectors with limited resources.