Ralston auction

Wow! Those are some astronomical prices on the white metal models! Was there a commission on top of the selling prices?

@jkuvakas Yes, 18% cash, 21% credit.

I bagged a 1950 MG  Y Tourer for $70 which was less than my top bid but lost out on a 1950 Ford Crestliner that sold for considerably more that a 1951 Crestliner earlier in the auction.  The Shrocks were HOT and most of them are not even exactly 43rd scale.   There must have been some real Studebaker fans bidding as that is all Schrock made but there was a huge variety, trucks, cars, dealerships, garages etc.

There were plenty of good deals on Elegance models, including a Rolls Royce (Claude may have produced more different RR models than Cadillac) and of course,

this Good Humor model always sells well..

I had bids on about 4 models but got out bid on all of them. Couldn't find any deals.This time around, I would be suprised if there were any dealers bidding because most of the desirable models went for full retail (and then some) after bidders premium. Whats up with Conquest 1948 Pontiacs? A green wagon went for $590 with premium, a t/u convertible went for $961 and a t/d convertible sold for $1003 with premium. A recent sale on Ebay even went for over $300.

I saw those Conquests too - all original ones, not Route 66 - that went for $$$.  Not sure why.  Most of the Euro and UK stuff were much more reasonable, so I assume most bidders were American.  I did get my 2 Alfas for a fairly OK price (+ commission and tax and postage).  

The prices on the Conquest 48 Pontiac convertible and MOC T&C convertible made me feel great, although surprised, that some of my models are worth quite a bit. I guess you have to sell them to realize the benefit.

I think these high-profile collections have an aura of provenance that attracts a wide range of collectors. Folks get excited and wrapped up in the bidding. They're desirable models with a well-known collector's name associated with them offered by a trusted auction house. It's the only way to explain $2000 for USA Good Humor or $2800 for a T&C convertible.

@jkuvakas I’d better start stashing away money for when you decide to sell off your collection. I’m sure the provenance of the Kuvakas Collection should draw some energetic bidding. I might need a second Swan car after all…

I only won one item, and that was to upgrade one I already had. The old D&Gs did spectacularly well also $3000 for 8 models in two lots. I think that USA Good Humor truck was the biggest surprise (glad I bought one from Howie over 10 years ago). The $2800 for the Cisco Kid car did not surprise me though. Howie once said only around six were completed due to the fragility of the steer's horns.

@randyrusk This means somebody who is desperate has to pay $3500 for a single model with fees and taxes. This is just insane.

@bob-jackman when looking at the prices I got selling all my 1/43 white metal and resin models about 20 years ago and considering the dollar value of today, this is pretty much on par for what is selling now. A $1300 sale I got then is about close to $2000 for rare MC, WM and only a few some others.

Obviously, there was no value in Brooklin models at the time and it is not even better now when we look at the results of this auction. I was lucky to sell some of them for $50. 

It's a matter of fact the resin market now provides a better product about details and accuracy. The big problem is there is no standard of what is the 1/43 scale. This really bothers me when I display on the same shelve a Goldvarg with a Stamp and they are not the same size when they should be.  

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Posted by: @nickies

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@randyrusk This means somebody who is desperate has to pay $3500 for a single model with fees and taxes. This is just insane.

£2,800 - this is Steve Barnett's price territory for an individually commissioned one-off 1:43rd scale model with opening parts!

@randyrusk, LOL! They'll probably have to pay people to take them!