Whats up with Prices? (1 Viewer)

[Drum]

As general information, these sets were first issued in 1989 (HS1) and 1990 (HS2). Original issue price for HS1 was $589.00 and for HS2 it was $621.00 According to Imperial Productions' records; 405 HS1 sets were made and 268 of the HS2 sets were produced. These numbers are for the original Cameron version of these sets.

I mostly watch ebay for prices on these and they seem to range in offer price from $5-600 and higher. Some sell for that, some don't. I have seen a few sets of these sell for $800-ish. One of the Gordon Highlander painted HS rarities sold for an impressive $1200 about two years ago according to my notes.

All of those prices above were for complete sets and their NZ hardwood boxes. I have seen a very few individual figures from these sets offered, but do not have notes on prices, alas.

Cheers,
D

 

[ac5112]

Have found an Imperial price list from !st April 1998 with HS1 & HS2 listed at NZD $1,035.00ea which at today's exchange rate = USD $836.28 then another subsequent (undated) price list @ NZD $1,175.00 = USD $950.10 so they haven't exactly held their prices much as I try and convince the wife they're a better investment value than our share portfolio!!
My first purchase of Imperials were original sets Nos 1 - 9 incl. in 2004 @NZD $545.00 or USD $440.68 - somehow I don't think I would part with them for that now!
Still trying to figure out how to download photos so am experimenting...if they show, they're photos of the Imperial shop in Greyown...
ace

 

[ac5112]

Apologies....the inclusion of the photo for #100 "Saving the Colour" was an "oops" as that set is currently unavailable new....'tis a favourite tho!
ace

 

[damian]

That is a wonderful shop. Thanks for posting. As an aside one reason for my not buying imperial is trying to get hold of them. My e mails have been unanswered so I appreciate a bit of a heads up. They are lovely figures

 

[VIRIATO]

That is a wonderful shop. Thanks for posting. As an aside one reason for my not buying imperial is trying to get hold of them. My e mails have been unanswered so I appreciate a bit of a heads up. They are lovely figures

Damian, you should try fax or phone, PM me if you need any more info.


Paulo

 

[ucla1967]

That is a wonderful shop. Thanks for posting. As an aside one reason for my not buying imperial is trying to get hold of them. My e mails have been unanswered so I appreciate a bit of a heads up. They are lovely figures

I have about fifty of Imperial's early sets through the Zulu War available. I do not have any of the later sets. You can see some photos of them on my threads Imperial at the West Coaster and Hiriart at the West coaster.

 

[ucla1967]

Well, there were some unbelievable prices paid on eBay for three Officer & Men sets. On the auctions ending March 20th, the O&M Navy sweetheart couple sold for $386 to I***R (21), the O&M Marine sweetheart couple sold for $306 to E***L (31), and the O&M Carrier Deck Crew sold for $711 to U***L (76). I have never seen, or heard of, prices that high for any of those sets. I notice that the winners have had relatively few eBay purchases prior to this: 21, 31, and 76. Also, there were not too many bidders in total, but rather 21 and 31 were in a bidding war on the sweetheart couple sets.

Heirloom set No. HS1 went for $640 to U***L (76). Based on the O&M sets, this was a bargain. The highest I saw this set go for on eBay, in the past, was $2,011 in October 2008.

I wonder if anyone here on the Forum is one of these bidders?

 

[Yosmanos]

I wonder if anyone here on the Forum is one of these bidders?

No. A bit rich for me. I think I will stick to around $30 per figure rather than $100 or $192 per figure in the case of one of the sets. There are plenty of gaps in my collection to plug before I start spending that sort of dough.

Mark

 

[Nathan]

Hey guys,

Recently (3 weeks ago) attended upon Greytown in less fortunate circumstances, my great-uncle passed in an area dominated by farmers of our stock (Carterton, Masterton NZ). As was the tradition, I always made time to pop into see David and Kay, they're both doing well!

Walking into the little store, Kay came out from the back room (painting area) and directed my father and I out the back to see David who was smelting lead and spinning some casts. It's great to watch him at work, and you really appreciate the fine art he has it down to. The figures are set and then filed and made ready for Kay's steady hands.

No new sets to report, I bugged him to modify the NZ at war series to include a mounted figure of an Australian Lighthorseman with emu-feather plume (a very reputed and reknown regiment in Australia). I hope he is considering it! Fortunately he had a NZ Horseman and WW1 NZ'ers in France set I could take away with me!

David mentioned this forum and especially a couple of you. I think he is quite chuffed knowing the support he has by the online community (and equally astounded by the prices of eBay figures!). Aside from that we just shared small talk in his workshop.

Those frustrated by lack of internet diligence by the Cowe's must understand they very seldom use the internet and have absolutely no interest in mass-marketing. It's a small, cottage industry type workshop which makes these figures (and the people who create them) so special.

Hope everyone's doing well! My apologies for being absent for some time!

 

[Drum]

Welcome back Nathan and thanks for the excellent field report.

Just getting my laptop back again after some minor hardware issues, now fixed. Absence makes the heart fonder, hopefully.


Cheers,
D