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Topic starter
21/10/2011 4:39 pm
Further to Post #12835: The Dr. Rueff Estate sale was today
I played hookie from work for a few hours (to the detriment of my remaining vacation time) and took this in. I arrived an hour early (it was less than 3 miles from my house!) and still I was #31 in line when they opened the doors. The sale was at the home of the late Dr. Rueff and I talked with his son. The doc had a passion for all toys, and sold quite a bit in the last few years - I suspect a lot of really good stuff has been leaving Oak Ridge without my knowledge. I saw my plumber there - he was into the Star Wars stuff.
Inside toys were categorized by room - trains in the den, toddler toys and lunchboxes in the kitchen, Star Wars in the living room (there was a lot!) and cars in the dining room. Being #31, this room was a bit picked over before I got there, but I suspect I didn't miss a lot.
Karl: Sorry, no Teknos and I don't think I saw any Alfas of note.
David: No ancient cast iron.
Everyone: No white metal.
What I did see was old Yesteryears, some Corgi, a few Rios, some Danbury Mint airplanes, old Banthricos, AMT kits, some recent 1:18 diecasts (he must have collected up to his demise), a large Doepke ALF ladder truck that was missing parts, Ertl tractors, and so on. But I did snag a couple of decent unboxed Corgis. As I was about to leave, I spotted a number of Franklin Mint 1:43 '50s cars and picked out two. I looked long and hard at a Hubley MG TD, but it appeared to be a repaint - I was told the good doctor did some "restoring" now and then.
Here's what I got:
photo no longer available
The Stude is in fine shape, with just a little bit of wear along the fins a a rub on the body. But it's better than a plated version I had years ago. The Vette is mint and will be a companion to my magenta version. I got the DeSoto based on comments in this forum that it is a decent replica, plus it was cheap. I already have the retractable, this one is ebay-bound. Total cost for all 4 was $60.
This was Phase I of the sale - it continues this weekend, then Phase II is in two weeks.
21/10/2011 5:00 pm
Kudos, Harve. Great deal on all four but an impressive buy on the retractable.
21/10/2011 6:28 pm
Well done, Harvey.
21/10/2011 7:04 pm
Yes indeed. An FM 59 retractable sold a week ago for $59 +S&H on ebay.
21/10/2011 7:14 pm
And, they've gone much higher.
If the original packaging is included thay can bring well over $100. It really is an amzing model. The retracting top is a miniature marvel. FM got this one right!
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
21/10/2011 11:53 pm
Nice finds Harv. You had a nice deal with the two ....
Corgi models. The silver Vette has neat wire wheel hubs and will indeed go well
with your magenta version. Nice to see a "gold" plated Studebaker in such
excellent condition.
Looks like you are going to have fun with the working features on those two FM
models.
Cheers Chris
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
21/10/2011 11:54 pm
Superb images here John and one I am looking out for.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
Topic starter
22/10/2011 4:57 am
Yes John, I figured I couldn't go wrong at $20
A bunch of the other FMs were there, including the '53 Vette and Hudson, which I thought long and hard about, but being unboxed I only went for the two. The Ford was "retracted" - I don't know if the heirs/estate agents even knew about its uniqueness.
When I got home I pulled the price sticker off my $15 Vette - underneath was a $150 price tag! A bit high of course but it impressed Kay with my acumen regarding bargains! Similar deal on the Stude - someone had tried to get $140 at one time.
23/10/2011 3:26 pm
Great finds! (No good Tekno at Chicago this weekend either!) 🙁