TonkaNut posted:As I recall, TM Books and Video had a video segment many years ago about a Canadian dentist ("Dr. Mint") who claimed to have the smallest and most valuable Lionel collection...stuff like the 700e scale Hudson new in a sealed box. When asked how he found the ultra rare NIB pieces he replied something like "Easy, just offer them more money than what they are asking and they will find you".
TJ
I remember reading about it in Classic Toy Train magazine I think. He sold all of his trains and only wanted to collect one of a kind or exceptionally rare items. If I remember he paid $35,000 for the 700e set. They went to a hospital and xrayed the box to prove what was inside, the car locations, size, etc.
He had two sets. The other was a B6 switcher set I think. It was mint but the set box was no longer sealed. He said he paid $15,000 for that set.
It's been several years since I read that, but that's what remembered. There are other rare trains to be sure, but he has two of the rarest commercially available stuff I've ever heard of.
Now I'm wondering if there is any zinc pest those boxes
