and he was told that they were made for a private party, and NOT Lionel authorized. Charley wasn't sure of the legality of selling them, so he just gave them to me
Doug
Whoever told him that was wrong. Lionel sold those in their "Sidetracks" catalog.
I bought some of them and some bumper stickers.
I don't know the true origin or story behind them, but in Charlie's case, it was better Safe than Sorry, they were an inexpensive item, that he received in trade, and he gave to a LOOONG time regular customer, no real financial loss, and would not have been a significant profit. From a business stand point, he undoubtedly made a wise choice.
I have looked them over, and I have not found any trademark logos which one pretty much expects to find these days, even back into the 90's. I don't know if these were actual Lionel products, but that was what he was told, and he handled them in what he felt was the BEST way, for HIS situation.
Doug
