I cannot keep everything. My Dad started collecting Lionel standard gauge trains as a boy in the 1920s, and continued on until his passing. I also was fascinated with the history of these toys, and did some collecting. But now is the time to pass along our various catalogues to the next generation. I have assembled below eleven (11) listings or lots with prices and order number.
And, it is easy to order from RAY BOAS, BOOKSELLER – ORDERING INFORMATION.
TEN 1903-1920 LIONEL TRAIN CATALOGS / BOOKLETS – REPRINTS
Offered as a lot are this ten reprint booklets/brochures packed with information and pictures of early Lionel trains and equipment. Following are three images showing these 10 items, and below each the description of each in the image.
ABOVE:
1- Miniature Electric Cars with full accessories for Window Display and Holiday Gifts – early 1903 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house (this is the smallest piece measuring about 6 1/2 inches by 3 5/8 inches)
2- Directions for Operating Lionel Toy Trains “Multivolt” Toy Transformers and Direct Current Reducers – appears to be a zerox reprint
3-Lionel Electric Toys are Standard of the World – early 1913 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
4-Look Out for the Third Rail – Manufactured by Lionel Mfg. Co. – early 1906 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
ABOVE:
5-Miniature Electric Cars, Motors, Etc. for Holiday Presents and Window Display – early 1905 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
6-Electrical Novelties and Appliances for Boys – Ewing-Merkle Electric Co. (great illustrations) – early 1903 reprint by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
7-Miniature Electric Cars, Motors, Etc. for Holiday Presents and Window Display – early 1904 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
8-“Standard of the World” LIONEL Miniature Trains and New Departure Battery Motors – 1909 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
ABOVE:
9-LIONEL ELECTRIC TOY TRAINS And Multivolt Transformers sold by The Lionel Corporation – early 1920 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house – this is a large fold-out with multiple pages
10-Lionel Electric Toys are Standard of the World – 1913 Lionel Catalogue reprinted by Wm. Vagell’s Treasure house
PRICE – $35 for the lot – (order number eb1203)
1929 LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAINS – CATALOG – POCKET EDITION – ORIGINAL
1929 LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAINS – CATALOG – ORIGINAL POCKET EDITION – folded as published ad given out, this “pocket edition” measures about 7 5/8 inches by about 5 5/8 inches — but folds out first to a two pages spread, and again to four page spreads – 32 pages in total – in my images below you can see how this pocket edition folds out
PRICE – $25 – (order number eb1957)
1931 LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAINS – ORIGINAL CATALOG
Not dated, but from my research this great 52 page catalog is from 1931. Couple pencil marks, and one note in ink on centerfold image “I want this one” Some wear from being loved and poured over for years. In reviewing the pages besides some number notes on a couple page, one corner illustration was torn on on page 33//34 was torn out – probably what the youngster went to the store to purchase.
PRICE – $45 – (order number eb1884)
1933 LIONEL CATALOGUE – CATALOG
1933 LIONEL CATALOG – “Jimmie…the Lionel Engineer meets Mike Bolan” – 52 pages COVERS DETACHED BUT PRESENT – see images below — faint bump top corner, and usual wear from hours of enjoyment looking through.
PRICE – $20 – (order number eb1956)
1947 LIONEL TRAIN CATALOG
1947 LIONEL Catalog – 32 pages – edge wear and corner bumps, some rubbing – full color through-out – great classic toy train images. Stamped on front cover the store where this was given out – TRAIN EXCHANGE CENTER – Bridgeport, Conn. (CT – Connecticut)
PRICE – $20 – (order number eb1953)
1948 LIONEL TRAIN CATALOG
1948 LIONEL Catalog – 36 pages – restapled along spine, edge wear and corner bumps, some rubbing – full color through-out – great classic toy train images. Stamped on front cover the store where this was given out – TRAIN EXCHANGE CENTER – Bridgeport, Conn. (CT – Connecticut)
PRICE – $20 – (order number eb1952)
1949 — LIONEL TRAIN CATALOG and LIONEL TRACK LAYOUTS
TWO BOOKLETS
1 – 1949 LIONEL CATALOG – 40 pages – NOTE, old tape repair to outside of covers on spine and book block loose from covers as a result – basically stapled book block came loose from the covers. Great color illustrations through-out, small corner on back cover torn and last page.
2 – 1949 LIONEL TRACK LAYOUTS – 16 pages – plans and “how-to” – black and white illustrations
PRICE – $35 – (order number eb1951)
1949 – AMERICAN FLYER and ERECTOR FUN & THRILLS CATALOG
GILBERT HALL OF SCIENCE
So, here for your enjoyment is my 1949 32 page catalog with wonderful colors and illustrations of American Flyer trains and accessories. Covers have some tape (hard to see) on outside, thus some pages loose, tear bottom of front cover. Thus sold “as-is” “with all faults.”
I love this catalog, and its memories, and great colors of things I remember and wish I had – but, alas I cannot keep everything. ENJOY – thank you, RAY
PRICE – $15 – (order number eb1958)
1960 and 1961 THREE (3) LIONEL CATALOGS
1 – 1960 – “027” – SUPER “O” – HO – 56 pages, some edge wear from years of enjoyment – the illustrations and colors in this catalog make it one of my favorites
2 – LIONEL 1961 – NEW SCIENCE SETS – “027” – HO – SUPER “O” TRAIN LINES – 76 pages – page 4 and 5 show the FAMOUS INVENTORS SERIES – illustrations are black and white only
3 – LIONEL ’61 TRAIN LINES – LIONEL ’61 LIONEL-PORTER SCIENCE LINES – 72 pages also with the FAMOUS INVENTORS SERIES, this catalog is in full-color
PRICE – $25 – (order number eb1950)
1986 and 1988 – FIVE (5) LIONEL TRAIN CATALOGS
Very good to like new, offered as a lot are these five Lionel catalogues / advertising pieces, including:
1 – 1986 – LIONEL COLLECTOR SERIES – ELECTRIC TRAINS – 16 pages
2 – 1986 – LIONEL TRADITIONAL SERIES – ELECTRIC TRAINS – 16 pages
3 – 1988 – THE HIAWATHA: THE FAMED “MILWAUKEE ROAD” HIAWATHA STREAMLINER RETURNS FROM LIONEL – 4 pages
4 – 1988 – “LIONEL CLASSICS” STANDARD GAUGE TRAINS AND ACCESSORIES 4 pages and laid-in is four page price sheet for ’88
5 – 1988 – LIONEL TRAINS AND ACCESSORIES – 40 pages
PRICE – $25 – (order number eb1948)
1990 and 1991 – FOUR (4) LIONEL TRAIN CATALOGS
Very good to like new, offered as a lot are these four Lionel catalogues / advertising pieces, including:
1 – 1990 ELECTRIC TRAINS AND ACCESSORIES – 16 pages – laid-in is Mike’s Train House (MTH) four page price sheet for 1988, 1989 and 1990 lines
2 – 1990 LIONEL BOOK TWO – “O” AND 027 GAUGE ELECTRIC TRAINS AND ACCESSORIES – 36 pages
3 – 1991 LIONEL BOOK ONE – ‘O’ AND 027 GAUGE ELECTRIC TRAINS AND ACCESSORIES – 24 pages, laid-in is Mike’s Train House (MTH) four page price sheet for 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 lines
4 – 1991 LIONEL BOOK TWO – ‘O’ AND 027 ‘S’ GAUGE – STANDARD GAUGE – LARGE SCALE ELECTRIC TRAINS AND ACCESSORIES, 58 pages
PRICE – $20 – (order number eb1949)
COLLECTION OF NINE (9) MODEL RAILROAD LAYOUT AND DESIGN BOOKLETS
Offered as one lot are nine booklets/leaflets on Track layouts and design, scale model railroading, N Gauge Fun, etc. First are pictures of them all, and then I will list titles and approximate number of pages and year if possible.
Here is a list of what is included:
1 – TRACK LAYOUTS FOR LIONEL – 20 pages – Hirth Hobbies – 1953
2 – PACIFIC FAST MAIL – 6TH EDITION – about 40 pages of HO engines and cars for sale both in B&W and in Color – Canadian catalogue – with 1960 price list
3 – INTRODUCTION TO SCALE MODEL RAILROADING by Linn H. Westcott – 62 pages – Kalmbach Publishing – 1961 edition
4 – A CLEAR TRACK TO N GAUGE FUN – Atlas Tool Co., Inc. – 1968 – 27 pages of tips, layouts, etc.
5 – LATEST AHM NEWS – CATALOG SUPPLEMENT 1968 – 12 pages of accessories in color and B&W
6 – YANKEE SHOP MACHINISTS – LIVE STEAMERS 1947 PRICE LIST – 16 pages
7 – RAILROAD EQUIPMENT FOR THE DESIGNER – Mid Channel Design and Manufacturing – 1978 – 14 pages of decorative railroad items for the wall – in color
8 – 6 HO RAILROADS YOU CAN BUILD: STEP=BY-STEP CONSTRUCTION by John Armstrong – Atlas Tool Co., 1958 – 48 packed pages
9 – NINE N SCALE MODEL RAILROADS by John H. Armstrong and Thaddeus Stepek – Atlas Tool Co. – 1970 – 48 pages of layouts
Plus note – slight “musty” odor from storage – hard to tell
PRICE – $25 – (order number eb973)
Ray Boas, Bookseller 