G’day all.
Being an N scale modeller, I usually post in the MR forums, but I sometimes browse over here as well. One thing that I’m curious about is why Lionel is offering to replace boxes for new sets (as mentioned in the Lionel ATSF F3 thread). I understand the boxes from older sets would be collectable, as the majority of them would have been thrown away and hard to come by, but would new set boxes have the same collectability?
Thanks in advance,
tbdanny
Danny, I believe these are the classics boxes that are a step up and decorated…etc. Personally, I have too many boxes as is, but some will want to have everything in top shape as they are paying a good bit for them and they were advertised as such. Also, as you mentioned, older boxes have created a whole extra collecting field associated with this hobby. They may have some value in future years.
Dennis
So by the ‘classics boxes’, do you mean that the same sets are offered in two different types of boxes - ‘regular’ and ‘done up’ ones?
the boxes for the classic sets were cut open with a box opener to insert the engines at a different location. the openers damaged the set boxes.
Danny,
The boxes for the “Conventional Classics” series were part of the overall product presentation. They were meant to recreate the very act of opening a classic Lionel Post War set for the very first time, including retro set box, individual cars boxes, and corrugated engine box. These are printed with the accurate logos for the era they represent, complete with “The Lionel Corporation-New York-Chicago” or other phrases like “A Lifetime Investment in Happiness”.
When some of the Conventional Classics sets arrived, the boxes had been damaged. Some worse, some less, but as the boxes were a major selling point of the product, Lionel is making it right.
Jon [8D]
In general terms when talking about Lionel or other toy trains (well, and I guess with any toys really) having the original box in good condition can significantly increase the value of the item down the road when it is sold by the original purchaser or his heirs.