Guide to Lionel Sets

It only covers cataloged sets. McEntarfers' (Greenberg Publishing) covers both cataloged and promotional outfits, like Sears and Montgomery Wards.

Ron M

Holy cow, prices for this guide are outrageous!! I never knew this book existed, so I just bought one on ebay. I have several prewar "department store sets" so this book should come in handy.

Thanks for posting this.

John

Check out this book on uncataloged 1960's sets.

There are shelf worn copies available in their online store at a substantial discount.

That's roughly half the price I paid for the prewar sets book. It will be a good book to own as I'm really interested in learning the history of the department store sets.

Just received the book a few days ago; great resource and worth every penny.

BlueComet400 posted:

That's roughly half the price I paid for the prewar sets book. It will be a good book to own as I'm really interested in learning the history of the department store sets.

If you got the Greenberg prewar sets book for $100, you got a steal! 

$110.00 + S/H

BlueComet400 posted:

$110.00 + S/H

You're lucky I missed that one. 

At the time I thought I was nuts for paying that much for a book, but the amount of information in it is priceless. It's a must-have for anyone trying to learn the history of Lionel sets and how / where they were sold. The first prewar set my Dad bought in the 60's never showed up in any catalog, but it's listed in the book as a promotional outfit, #21 special.

I still have one (at least) mystery set, a boxed outfit # 6521WX; it's not in the book, so I will keep searching.

They want $440 for the one listed now, and an Amazon seller wants $299. I won't pay that much. I see 4 that were sold in the last 30 days for under $125. I asked my library to find me one, and I see one at a library in central IL. It's just too far for me. I just need to be patient. 

Earlier book also had few pictures, Greenberg has better photos in it. I need to dig into my library and check for any duplicates of this and sell!

BlueComet400 posted:

At the time I thought I was nuts for paying that much for a book, but the amount of information in it is priceless. It's a must-have for anyone trying to learn the history of Lionel sets and how / where they were sold. The first prewar set my Dad bought in the 60's never showed up in any catalog, but it's listed in the book as a promotional outfit, #21 special.

I still have one (at least) mystery set, a boxed outfit # 6521WX; it's not in the book, so I will keep searching.

Well this closest I got, for data, is the 6521E (1936-37) consisting of a 262E/265T + 809, 831, 804, 807. Loco was 'black'.

What does your 6521WX have?

Ron M

ron m posted:

BlueComet400 posted:

At the time I thought I was nuts for paying that much for a book, but the amount of information in it is priceless. It's a must-have for anyone trying to learn the history of Lionel sets and how / where they were sold. The first prewar set my Dad bought in the 60's never showed up in any catalog, but it's listed in the book as a promotional outfit, #21 special.

I still have one (at least) mystery set, a boxed outfit # 6521WX; it's not in the book, so I will keep searching.

Well this closest I got, for data, is the 6521E (1936-37) consisting of a 262E/265T + 809, 831, 804, 807. Loco was 'black'.

What does your 6521WX have?

Ron M

That's pretty close!! My set has the same cars but the loco is a gunmetal 249E/265T. Other than a few nicks on the loco's cab roof, this set is in immaculate condition with all the boxes and outer set box.  Dad acquired it from another collector in a trade back in the 70's and it was one of his favorite sets, so I want to find out all I can about it. Thanks.  

Does that book include discussion of the Sears 8101W and 8102W sets?

BlueComet400 posted:

ron m posted:

BlueComet400 posted:

At the time I thought I was nuts for paying that much for a book, but the amount of information in it is priceless. It's a must-have for anyone trying to learn the history of Lionel sets and how / where they were sold. The first prewar set my Dad bought in the 60's never showed up in any catalog, but it's listed in the book as a promotional outfit, #21 special.

I still have one (at least) mystery set, a boxed outfit # 6521WX; it's not in the book, so I will keep searching.

Well this closest I got, for data, is the 6521E (1936-37) consisting of a 262E/265T + 809, 831, 804, 807. Loco was 'black'.

What does your 6521WX have?

Ron M

That's pretty close!! My set has the same cars but the loco is a gunmetal 249E/265T. Other than a few nicks on the loco's cab roof, this set is in immaculate condition with all the boxes and outer set box.  Dad acquired it from another collector in a trade back in the 70's and it was one of his favorite sets, so I want to find out all I can about it. Thanks.  

To qualify for the 'W' the tender should be a 265W or 265WX. There should also be a 167 or 167X whistle controller.

Ron M

Dennis Holler posted:

Does that book include discussion of the Sears 8101W and 8102W sets?

The  book has the 8102W but no 8101W.

The 8101W consisted of 229/02689W, 2655, 2654, 2659, 2657X.

Ron M

ron m posted:

BlueComet400 posted:

ron m posted:

BlueComet400 posted:

At the time I thought I was nuts for paying that much for a book, but the amount of information in it is priceless. It's a must-have for anyone trying to learn the history of Lionel sets and how / where they were sold. The first prewar set my Dad bought in the 60's never showed up in any catalog, but it's listed in the book as a promotional outfit, #21 special.

I still have one (at least) mystery set, a boxed outfit # 6521WX; it's not in the book, so I will keep searching.

Well this closest I got, for data, is the 6521E (1936-37) consisting of a 262E/265T + 809, 831, 804, 807. Loco was 'black'.

What does your 6521WX have?

Ron M

That's pretty close!! My set has the same cars but the loco is a gunmetal 249E/265T. Other than a few nicks on the loco's cab roof, this set is in immaculate condition with all the boxes and outer set box.  Dad acquired it from another collector in a trade back in the 70's and it was one of his favorite sets, so I want to find out all I can about it. Thanks.  

To qualify for the 'W' the tender should be a 265W or 265WX. There should also be a 167 or 167X whistle controller.

Ron M

I checked, and the tender is a 265W, and the whistle controller is a #66. I also found out some more info about this 6521WX. I took a closer look at the outer box, and found a sticker that reads "Quackenbush Co. Paterson, NJ." Quackenbush was a well-known department store in Paterson that was acquired by Stern's in the 50's, which then evolved into Macy's. So, for now, I think I can at least assume that Lionel put this set together for Quackenbush Department Store. 

C W Burfle posted:

Check out this book on uncataloged 1960's sets.

There are shelf worn copies available in their online store at a substantial discoun

 

 

 CW Burfle,

Thanks for the kind words.  It took me 5 years to research, photograph and write the Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Promotional Outfits 1960 - 1969.  If we ever find earlier records, we will write those books as well.  The Prewar set book by Greenberg is a gem as well.

Best,

John W. Schmid

94-39512

www.projectroar.com

I would like to know if there was a set with exactly these cars.  Or are they parts of two sets or likely an individual addition.

 The baggage car was cataloged only in 1925-1927.

 I’d appreciate hearing from someone who c an tell me what sets had the 320 and 319 in those years.