Caberfeidh "Mess Dress" Set Value Question (1 Viewer)

[Shannon Reuss]

Dear Forum Members,
I received this query via the forum this week. This collector needs some assistance valuing what sounds to be quite a cool set.
Anyone familiar with this to assist him? Thanks in advance! Shannon

Hello,
I had the good fortune to purchase a couple of years ago a Caberfeidh set "Mess Dress" which including the 3 rooms shows officers enjoying the Christmas season and each others company.
It is complete according to the flier I have from The Toy Soldier, James Hillestad proprietor of Staten Island, NY.

I was wondering if anyone had any idea of it's worth. Internet searches have resulted in very little info probably because the company is long out of business and perhaps i don't know the correct venues to search.

Any information I could get would be great. I am trying to tag a price to it for insurance/estate purposes.

I purchased it from a friend some time ago who's shop was being downsized. This year is the first time I have been able to take it out of the box and set it up as part of my Christmas decorations since I have been overseas for 4 years.

 

[tdubel]

I have this same set. I can't even remember what I paid, it has been so long, but they are quite rare. I would estimate a value range of $750 -$1250 depending on condition, etc.. It is a whole diorama set up that is quite neat.

Tom

 

[BLReed]

Not worth much. Comes up from time to time on eBay. Generally about $10 or less per figure.
Or this group for $306.
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19031/lot/1192/

Another set that sold for $90.

 

[BLReed]

....I would estimate a value range of $750 -$1250 depending on condition, etc..

That's a bit high,even for a complete set.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Caberfeidh-Miniatures-of-Scotland-Officers-Mess-Dress-Series-RARE-/121232406962?nma=true&si=wM11Iwn1tq%252FUW9Hrz556NPYROSg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[theBaron]

That's a bit high,even for a complete set.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Caberfeidh-Miniatures-of-Scotland-Officers-Mess-Dress-Series-RARE-/121232406962?nma=true&si=wM11Iwn1tq%252FUW9Hrz556NPYROSg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Heh! You've linked Tom's own auction for a pair of Caberfeidh figures. He's asked $19.99 to start, but we'll have to wait to see where that one ends, to consider it in evidence.

Demand has a lot to do with it, too. I wonder what the total market is for Caberfeidh.

A complete set of dioramas may be rare, but if no one's interested...

I can check my references when I get home tonight, to look for original catalog prices.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

Oh, and if the flyer lists Hillestad as a dealer from Staten Island, that helps date when the set was purchased. Hillestad's been in Cresco for 20 years, perhaps, maybe a little more?

 

[zblang]

The $306 set from Bonhams included:

Caberfeidh Miniatures and others, Christmas in the Officers Mess
Christmas Tree, eight men decorating it, pile of presents, nine officers in mess dress standing with twenty-three seated and twenty-four chairs, two billiard tables with four officers playing billiards, dining table with six waiters and cooks, eight other tables, piano and dog (VG-G)

 

[BLReed]

Heh! You've linked Tom's own auction for a pair of Caberfeidh figures. He's asked $19.99 to start, but we'll have to wait to see where that one ends, to consider it in evidence.

Auction ended 15 Dec 2013

 

[jazzeum]

Think I would take Tom's word for it.

 

[BLReed]

Think I would take Tom's word for it.

I wouldn't. Especially when the evidence indicates otherwise. A dealer has
a personal motive. I've seen several so-called rare sets on this forum with
high estimated values that are never realized. In dreams maybe.

 

[BLReed]

Here's an old thread with some background and pictures.
http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?16235-Caberfeidh-Sir-Anyone/page2&highlight=caberfeidh+mess+dress

I like the theme, but a bit primitive for my taste. Beating Retreat [forum member]
does a much, much better job. And his are rare.

 

[tdubel]

Always nice to hear from experts like Mr. Reed.

First off, NO I AM NOT A DEALER. I sell on ebay as a hobby and the auction you linked was 2 oddjob figures that I got in a box lot I didn't need.

Second and more importantly, you are mixing apples and oranges with the set in question. The set from Hillstead came in 2 versions with I think less than 50 made in total, either a 3 room diorama or a 6 room diorama constructed of wood, metal and plaster. It was produced by a Company called Windows of the World using the Mess Dress series of figures. This companys owner is long deceased, so these dioramas are quite rare nowadays MORE SO than the figures on their own which is what you have linked in your auctions. You just can't compare the two or as is referenced elsewhere what the demand is at the time.

I have the 6 room version which includes about 50 figures and the most recent one I know of was sold on the Westcoast about 4 years ago for $1400 (if i recall correctly, it may have been 1500)

While I am on a soapbox, I love the modern day comparisons of quality/primitive, etc. That has absolutely NOTHING to do with rarity or value. All you have to do is take a review of the last 10 years of auctions for Vintage Britains, Trophy, Mignot, etc.

Finally for those taking notes at home, Windows of the World also made a number of different one off wooden boats to display Trophy figures on along with a number of facade including Durbar, Middle East and buidlings.

Hope that clears up any of the confusion previously posted. I think anyone who really knows me on this forum knows that I know prices of "old glossy figures" considering I actively buy them and I for one will not overpay whenver and wherever possible.

Happy Holidays.

 

[tdubel]

I wouldn't. Especially when the evidence indicates otherwise. A dealer has
a personal motive. I've seen several so-called rare sets on this forum with
high estimated values that are never realized. In dreams maybe.

You should really research your evidence before making posts like this. If you don't know what the set really is, how can you possibly judge the value, the value was never in lots of these figures, it is the complete diorama.

And which other rare sets are you talking about? Seems like every auction where I am looking for a rarity, they sure seem to go high. Common sets, no, but anything out of the ordinary seems to always be high when I am looking.

TD

 

[Mirof]

For info

A hussard Wedding composed of 3 sets of 6 pieces each, was sold at Vectis ( Auction) in 2007 for 60£ in original boxes, mint

 

[DMNamiot]

Having found this thread a little late I will only say that the sets in question are very rare and when found in the condition stated by the original email very pricey indeed. I haven't seen one of these with all the rooms go for sale for a very, very long time and the last one I do remember went for in excess of 1000 bucks. So Tom's estimate is on the money in todays market. Given the right auction and place of sale it would likely get a lot of attention. As for the idea of what is primitive and what is wonderful resides with the person who has expressed this opinion so please don't make things personal even if you don't agree. Personally I would love to get my hands on this set because of the theme. Anyway guys keep in civil and enjoy the season! Merry Christmas

Dave

 

[theBaron]

..As for the idea of what is primitive and what is wonderful resides with the person who has expressed this opinion so please don't make things personal even if you don't agree...

Suum quique, eh, Dave?

Prost!
Brad

 

[DMNamiot]

Indeed Brad!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Dave

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

BLReed has been excused from further participation on this thread.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat