Interesting article on collectibles as investments (2 Viewers)

[Currahee Chris]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.co...ctibles.aspx?cp-documentid=26131547&GT1=33006

 

[Njja]

Interesting I would say it really depends on the individual, his knowledge and time spent developing his expertise.

I have been a collector all my life, a serious collector begining in 1975 and had a wonderful time ever since then.

Back in the 1980's I read an article on fun things to do with $1000 one of which was buy a Triumph Bonneville classic motorcycle. I always liked Triumphs so I looked into that. I wound up with a garage full of them and a lot of fun spent cleaning and tuning them up. Eventually they lead to the current Harleys sitting in my shop.

I have found as a rule it is difficult for new items to have real value in the short term. Manufacters just can't help themselves they always flood the market until the items eventually have little value. There are exceptions but they are rare.

Most of the items I enjoy are toys from the 1950's and old Lionel, these items were produced as childrens toys and were rarely put away by collectors which usually makes nice examples valuable.

I see the true collector as a custodian of the pieces he has, someone that cleans and preserves the pieces to be enjoyed by future generations.

In the last year I have put together a very nice group of Smith Miller trucks cira 1945-1954 wonderful craftmanship from that time frame. I received one just yesterday, tired, and dusty claimed by someone at an estate sale in the midwest. I spent the day caring for it, took it apart and cleaned and prepped each piece before reassembly. Now it looks like a million dollars, not mint, but in excellent played with condition, ready for the next 60 years.

A true collector can have a lot of fun, save some wonderful items, and build a nice valuable collection with a little effort.

 

[Gideon]

Some things are timeless, iconic and will always have a healthy value attached to them. If you are "investing" then it is all about the price you can get it for.

Many "collectibles" today are mass produced on a scale which just didn't exist 40, 50, 60 years ago.

Other types of collectibles, well the people who collect certain things age out or pass away. Cast iron is a really good example of this: an Arcade taxi in excellent condition 25 years ago could go at auction for $10K. Today? About $2500 or so - maybe. Still a healthy value but it appeals to a person interested in the time period or the history, style of it - what ever. They didn't experience it as a child - time, place sort of thing.

Composition soliders too. Elastolin, Lineol and others go for a fraction of what they sold for 20-25 years ago while the vehicles still bring very healthy prices for good to prime examples. In some cases more than what they went for 20-25 years ago. But a figure which would have brought $40-$50 back then is about $15 now.

Old Dinky, Matchbox and Corgi mint/boxed examples have seen a major price hit save for some rare pieces.

The real classic stuff from Bing, Carette, Marklin and the other classic high end makers are still bringing healthy prices but not the $100K plus for the ships that they used to.

Lots of ebbs and tides in collecting. You have to roll with it, know what you're buying and know your audience.

I have never lost on buying decent to good quality paintings at auctions. I've always made better than expected margin but I have a background in art and I know what I'm looking at.

 

[ecuriel]

The book, "The madness of crowds" comes to mind.

 

[Currahee Chris]

My uncle has approximately 50 or so matchbox cars still in their little matchboxes from the 50's and 60's. You would think they would fetch some top $$ but it seems they can be had for a reasonable amount.

 

[Gideon]

My uncle has approximately 50 or so matchbox cars still in their little matchboxes from the 50's and 60's. You would think they would fetch some top $$ but it seems they can be had for a reasonable amount.

10 years ago the sky was the limit. Now? A mint/boxed Citroen DS19 from the early/mid '60's can be had for $20-$30. In 1999 this would sell easy for $75 +.

Same with the Jaguar 3.4 liter and the E Types. Ebbs and tides...

By the way, do you have any photos of what he's got? I happen to like some of the matchbox stuff and have a bunch of them.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Due to the Internet I think that has also crashed prices. Years ago what would you do with Uncle Bobs matchbox collection probably hang on it as it would be too much time and trouble to take it to a major auction house. So all these rare and valuable pieces were stashed away probably to never again see the light of day. Now thanks to Internet/eBay everyone has a major auction house right in the front room so it is easy to get rid of these collections or put the on eBay to see what they bring for curiosity's sake.

The Internet has also made it easier to buy items from other countries, Britains for example would make items for a specific country and without the Internet it would have been perhaps harder to have this knowledge and buy the item.

With most things another will always come along if you miss out.

 

[Currahee Chris]

By the way, do you have any photos of what he's got? I happen to like some of the matchbox stuff and have a bunch of them.

No, unfortunately I do not. In the fashion of most family relations- we had a falling out a few years ago

 

[Currahee Chris]

Due to the Internet I think that has also crashed prices. Years ago what would you do with Uncle Bobs matchbox collection probably hang on it as it would be too much time and trouble to take it to a major auction house. So all these rare and valuable pieces were stashed away probably to never again see the light of day. Now thanks to Internet/eBay everyone has a major auction house right in the front room so it is easy to get rid of these collections or put the on eBay to see what they bring for curiosity's sake.

The Internet has also made it easier to buy items from other countries, Britains for example would make items for a specific country and without the Internet it would have been perhaps harder to have this knowledge and buy the item.

With most things another will always come along if you miss out.

Really good points

 

[bromhead]

Interesting I would say it really depends on the individual, his knowledge and time spent developing his expertise.

I have been a collector all my life, a serious collector begining in 1975 and had a wonderful time ever since then.

Back in the 1980's I read an article on fun things to do with $1000 one of which was buy a Triumph Bonneville classic motorcycle. I always liked Triumphs so I looked into that. I wound up with a garage full of them and a lot of fun spent cleaning and tuning them up. Eventually they lead to the current Harleys sitting in my shop.

I have found as a rule it is difficult for new items to have real value in the short term. Manufacters just can't help themselves they always flood the market until the items eventually have little value. There are exceptions but they are rare.

Most of the items I enjoy are toys from the 1950's and old Lionel, these items were produced as childrens toys and were rarely put away by collectors which usually makes nice examples valuable.

I see the true collector as a custodian of the pieces he has, someone that cleans and preserves the pieces to be enjoyed by future generations.

In the last year I have put together a very nice group of Smith Miller trucks cira 1945-1954 wonderful craftmanship from that time frame. I received one just yesterday, tired, and dusty claimed by someone at an estate sale in the midwest. I spent the day caring for it, took it apart and cleaned and prepped each piece before reassembly. Now it looks like a million dollars, not mint, but in excellent played with condition, ready for the next 60 years.

A true collector can have a lot of fun, save some wonderful items, and build a nice valuable collection with a little effort.

True as to being the custodian,,,I have been that for the past 28 years of a 1970 Mustang built by me and very much a part of things,,I am in the process of passing it on to my daughter who not only loves it as much as I do but will always properly care for it,,,Im forced to console my self with my 55 Thunderbird and a last series Trans Am.

 

[Njja]

True as to being the custodian,,,I have been that for the past 28 years of a 1970 Mustang built by me and very much a part of things,,I am in the process of passing it on to my daughter who not only loves it as much as I do but will always properly care for it,,,Im forced to console my self with my 55 Thunderbird and a last series Trans Am.

...................................................................................................

Its wonderful that you can share your passion for your Mustang with your daughter, and giving it to her will make it extra special. Its also nice that you have a terric 1955 T-Bird and your TA to enjoy.

I often wonder what kind of cars the kids of today will remember? I doubt in 25 years someone will be fawning over his "Cube"

I grew up with a 1961 Corvette, then a 1969 396/375 SS Chevelle bought new. Those cars were really something when we were young and driving down to the Jersey shore! You could work on them a little, and have a lot of fun.

Today I enjoy my 395hp SSR Pickup, its sporty with its convertible top, and has plenty of power but also gives me the quiet and confortable ride I enjoy more then I used to when I was 18!

 

[Currahee Chris]

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I often wonder what kind of cars the kids of today will remember? I doubt in 25 years someone will be fawning over his "Cube"

I read something about that a few years ago- I think it was the Mazda Miata and a lot of the little acura's that younger kids modify with the loud exhausts and stuff. Either way, nothing I drive

 

[lancer]

...................................................................................................

Its wonderful that you can share your passion for your Mustang with your daughter, and giving it to her will make it extra special. Its also nice that you have a terric 1955 T-Bird and your TA to enjoy.

I often wonder what kind of cars the kids of today will remember? I doubt in 25 years someone will be fawning over his "Cube"

I grew up with a 1961 Corvette, then a 1969 396/375 SS Chevelle bought new. Those cars were really something when we were young and driving down to the Jersey shore! You could work on them a little, and have a lot of fun.

Today I enjoy my 395hp SSR Pickup, its sporty with its convertible top, and has plenty of power but also gives me the quiet and confortable ride I enjoy more then I used to when I was 18!

Aw yes, the fabled '68 396 Chevelle. Had a friend who owned one, black over orange. Could here it coming from a mile away. Used to stomp on it and watch the gas needle move downwards, but at .35cents a gallon, who cared? I had a '68 convertible Camaro which I had until 1979 when it lost out to my growing number of tax deductions. Great car, great times. -- Al

 

[Njja]

Aw yes, the fabled '68 396 Chevelle. Had a friend who owned one, black over orange. Could here it coming from a mile away. Used to stomp on it and watch the gas needle move downwards, but at .35cents a gallon, who cared? I had a '68 convertible Camaro which I had until 1979 when it lost out to my growing number of tax deductions. Great car, great times. -- Al

.....................................................................................................

Yes mine was Black over Black. We had a great time lots of interesting cars in my Hometown. Numerious Camero's, Chargers, Road Runners (one with a Hemi) GTX's GT500's, GTO's we certainly had a blast!

 

[MarkeytMaker]

Interesting I would say it really depends on the individual, his knowledge and time spent developing his expertise.

I have been a collector all my life, a serious collector begining in 1975 and had a wonderful time ever since then.

Back in the 1980's I read an article on fun things to do with $1000 one of which was buy a Triumph Bonneville classic motorcycle. I always liked Triumphs so I looked into that. I wound up with a garage full of them and a lot of fun spent cleaning and tuning them up. Eventually they lead to the current Harleys sitting in my shop.

I have found as a rule it is difficult for new items to have real value in the short term. Manufacters just can't help themselves they always flood the market until the items eventually have little value. There are exceptions but they are rare.

Most of the items I enjoy are toys from the 1950's and old Lionel, these items were produced as childrens toys and were rarely put away by collectors which usually makes nice examples valuable.

I see the true collector as a custodian of the pieces he has, someone that cleans and preserves the pieces to be enjoyed by future generations.

In the last year I have put together a very nice group of Smith Miller trucks cira 1945-1954 wonderful craftmanship from that time frame. I received one just yesterday, tired, and dusty claimed by someone at an estate sale in the midwest. I spent the day caring for it, took it apart and cleaned and prepped each piece before reassembly. Now it looks like a million dollars, not mint, but in excellent played with condition, ready for the next 60 years.

A true collector can have a lot of fun, save some wonderful items, and build a nice valuable collection with a little effort.

I think I know what the future generation will be looking for...I'm not telling!

 

[lancer]

I think I know what the future generation will be looking for...I'm not telling!

Video games and cell phones. End of story. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

I think I know what the future generation will be looking for...I'm not telling!

Here's a tip for you; beanie babies.............load up on them, join a forum dedicated to beanie babies and tell everyone what a huge fan of them you are, then peddle them on Ebay and buy a nice investment property in Hawaii with the profits.

Sound good?

 

[Warrior]

I think I know what the future generation will be looking for...I'm not telling!

Here's a tip for you; beanie babies.............load up on them, join a forum dedicated to beanie babies and tell everyone what a huge fan of them you are, then peddle them on Ebay and buy a nice investment property in Hawaii with the profits.

Sound good?