36c Box

[Matchboxpat]

In my own opinion, 147$ for this box is a bit high, I consider this one as scarce but certainly not rare. Prices for boxes are higher than ever nowadays. Buying a box alone sometimes command a higher price that if the model came with it. I actually experienced that a few times lately.

I would have not gone any higher than 75$ but this is just me.

Collecting boxes is almost as fun collecting the models and I do collect them as I enjoy the artwork and uniqueness of these small boxes. They're maybe cardboard for some, as stamps are just a piece of paper for others, but I am hooked for a very long and it's a true passion now. Lately I started to collect Major Packs, King Size and Accessories boxes as well, and it's just too much fun to stop ! The artwork on the KS F boxes is especially spectacular. I always try to combine a box I don't have with a variation of the model I am missing in my collection. That the best of both worlds.

I agree that some very rare models are commanding a price that just gets crazier every time one of those shows up on some auction sites. I will probably never be able to get my hands on a 58A D Box or a 22C F Box, unless I win the lottery.

There is more and more offer for reproduction boxes. I think it might actually inflate the price fox genuine boxes.

[Tinman]

I am one of Joe's biggest fans, and love to see the vehicles that he comes out with, and his opinion of the real FAKES. I think that I have got a couple of his and Barnabe's (I think that's how it's spelt) re-creations in my collection. They are ones that I will probably never own the real thing. Now on to the discussion at hand. I collect the box's, and love them just as much as the vehicles that are/were in them. to me it makes the vehicle complete as it was when they came out. I get every box that I can because they are harder to get than most vehicles.

Tony

You are thinking of Bill Baraby. Bill was looking forward to doing more work with vintage Matchbox models in his retirement but he can no longer be around the paints and chemicals due to health problems.

[godsey1]

Yes that is the one Joe.That's too bad, as what he done was fantastic like yours.

Tony

[Tinman]

One of the earliest well know restorers was Gary Yandoli. Gary ended up on the bad end of a Copyright infringement case and now can no longer be associated with diecast of any kind. Bill had several run-ins with copyright infringement and some cease and desist orders that limited his customs. I too keep having more and more frequent run-ins with corporate lawyers and that limits the kinds of customs I can do.

Bill, would defy the orders and simply omit the brand names from his listing titles and descriptions It was all highly risky and I don't think Bill actually understood just how costly it would be if he was caught again. That, IMHO, was foolishness to the extreme. I have no such desire to continue to tread into a snake pit of corporate lawyers. Those kind of risks and never worth it. I think if Bill had been able to keep on restoring and customizing, that he would have eventually been shut down (and probably owe a hefty chunk of change to boot).

I would rather do more customs than restorations, but that is becoming increasingly more difficult with each passing year. As long as the custom is generic in nature, there isn't much of a problem, even then it can't look too similar to certain brands without running afoul of the lawyers.

[numi]

I have no problem paying realistic prices for certain boxes but definitely not daft prices.Im in no hurry to get anywhere fast.
numi

[radar]

Nice box by the way.

Guess I'm more of a memory keeper. I never forget they were toys. I still enjoy playing with them. In my cabinet I've got original mint boxed and repaints. Original boxes and repros - with internet addresses on inside flaps.

I like the boxes and artwork too. The catalogues and display stands - all reminiscent of the thrill outside a toy shop or newsagent when I was a kid with three shillings to spend and trying to choose "one."

Some of those "ones" I still have. Playworn and repainted by my brothers (one since died) with Dulux in the sixties.

I have had them proudly restored and they take pride of place in my modest cabinet.

You could trick me cos I am not sure of the correct colour scheme of a 13 BP Tow truck!

I enjoy the chatter, the models, the boxes and viz - a viz the towing thread, playing with them. Out here on the water I have compiled a neat "virtual collection"
Sequential photos of all 250 odd Series 1, 2, 3 and 4 models. Gives me a lot of pleasure to flip through them. I also have my restored Dunlop van - token presence.