Trainspotters: Railroad Memories auction leaves the station on Fri., June 18!

[singlepic id=213 w=360 h=300 float=left]It’s here, and just in time for Father’s Day: Ol’ No. 76, billowing steam, boiler clanging and ticking, is waiting at the platform, doors open and waiting for railroad enthusiasts to climb aboard for one wild ride …

Actually, it’s the NEW No. 76 – as in Railroad Memories’  (www.RailroadMemories.com) auction no. 76, featuring a trainload of unique memorabilia in variety of categories – everything from advertising, china, silver and watches to badges, passes, stock certificates and equipment – for railroaders, collectors in other fields (regional, china, silver, signage, lanterns) – even decorators.

I last wrote about Denver-based Railroad Memories (“All aboard! Railroad Memories Auction ends Nov. 6”) back in October; the specialized auction, held quarterly, is a collector’s event. Also, unlike the high-profile, highly staffed corporate efforts that I usually profile on AmeriCollector.com, Railroad Memories auctions are held on a much smaller platform under the supervision of owner Susan Knous.

I first found Railroad Memories – which is an online railroad memorabilia shop as well – last year while tooling around the Web, looking for the elusive autograph material of Otto Mears, “Pathfinder of the San Juans” (the mountains in Colorado, not the islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca) and builder of the Rio Grande Southern, Silverton and Silverton Northern railroads. I gave a call and found Susan to be genial, helpful and very knowledgeable; I also started watching for her auctions.

Railroad Memories issues four beautiful color catalogs annually for their auctions, which are excellent reference material for collectors, as are the prices-realized sheets that come afterward. The subscription cost is $45 within the U.S. and $60 outside the U.S., and subscribers are exempt from the 10 percent buyer’s premium that non-subscribing bidders pay.

“This issue features over 500 lots, including some very scarce and hard-to-find items,” Susan told me. “Everything sold through our company comes with a full money-back guarantee for authenticity and customer satisfaction. Simply view and bid on the lots from our Web site. Should you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Just a few of what I consider to be highlights of the current auction: not one but TWO Rio Grande Southern stock certificates signed by Otto Mears (including one issued to Mears himself!); a great silver-foil-backed poster for the streamlined Burlington Zephyrs; a beautiful circular porcelain Great Northern Railway sign with mountain goat silhouette measuring two feet in diameter; a porcelain spittoon from the Pennsylvania Railroad; plenty of really nice china (including several from the Wabash Railroad); lots of some 50 pieces of dining car silver (sugar bowls, toothpick holders, teapots, you name it); lots of locks, keys and lanterns; office and rail yard equipment; books; passes; and more.

If you are or know a railroad buff – especially if you’re shopping for one this Father’s Day (an annual catalog/auction subscription makes a great gift!) – don’t miss this auction, which closes Fri., June 18, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. Visit www.RailroadMemories.com to see the goods and register to bid.

Images courtesy of Railroad Memories.

[nggallery id=34]