Greetings-
I'm trying to evaluate if this Lionel 2332 GG-1 shell was done by Elliot Welz or not.
Some things to consider when looking at the attached photos:
- No "Painted By E. Welz" signature stamp on the inside.
- Lots of junk in the paint - particularly around the side ladders and across the upper surface (does not show well in the pics but the spots are NOT dust)
- No trim was removed prior to paint. It's not as easy to tell from the pics but the ladders, horns and pantograph seats were all painted over with the silver part of the horns being masked off. Trim attachment tabs on inside of shell have all been sprayed over black- again indicating they were not removed.
- Old heat stamping is visible under the new paint (were original Lionel 2332 shells ever heat-stamped...?)
- Stripes and lettering are silk-screened.
- Keystones are decals.
- No sign of primer.
- Seller claims it was done by Elliot Welz 30-35 years ago.
- Note attached brochure from Welz (1979 - 38 years ago) where he was clearly removing the trim.
- Stripe pattern on the nose is very different from known Welz examples as well as the attached brochure.
I have several Welz pieces and they are far superior to this one. If this is his work, I'm thinking they must have caught him on a bad day. Seller is getting angry that I have questioned the authenticity and says I don't know what I'm talking about and that it is a "100% quality" example.
Interested in any comments from people with first-hand knowledge of his work.
Thanks!
