Fair enough.
How about those pictures?
Ralph
Jack,
Just curious. You don’t write about G-scale, or LGB?
Ralph
Ralph,
Of course he writes about LGB! Remember he writes for two different publications and was approached by a third. The standard routine when writing for publication is: you receive some kind of remuneration; you also relinquish some or all of your rights to that particular submission.
Like a few of the other items Jack has mentioned
Jack Barton said:must be very tightly delineated in order to pass the smell test.
I have never sold anything to anyone in the G scale hobby, unlike HJ and TOC.
BTW I had been in the hobby for 30 years prior to starting the commercial aspect. Started out with my train buddies saying: “Hey, now that is neat, can we buy some?”
Today we handcraft “Stuff” from Z to Large Scale and some odd scales that are used in the architectural models business. They like it, we produce it!
Ralph,
The rain let let up about an hour ago after two days. Then I found the cameras batteries to be dead, they’re charging now.
Jack
Jack,
I suppose that it is an anal retentive thing, but I also enjoy identifying the production differences between models in the LGB range. It is more to do with cataloguing, than with value, as we well know that value is a very deceptive thing. Something with a ‘book’ value of say $800.00 in 1996 may be worth say $60.00 in today’s market. It is the enjoyment received that is its own reward. Collectors have their own reasons for doing so. For me, it is owning and correctly identifying the product.
Tim,
That’s what it’s all about for me too. The most that I’ll do is make an estimate of rarity on a scale of 1 to 10. Values are best determined by buyers, not collectors.
Jack
Tim Brien said:Remember Beanie Babies? Some of them were supposedly worth hundreds of dollars during the peak of the craze. Now those same items can be found in thrift stores for under a buck.
...value is a very deceptive thing. Something with a 'book' value of say $800.00 in 1996 may be worth say $60.00 in today's market. It is the enjoyment received that is its own reward. Collectors have their own reasons for doing so.
My wife collects teddy bears (among other things) but unlike some bear collectors she was never interested in resale value. She just collects what she likes, with no intent to ever “cash in”. Though with 5000+ bears filling our house, I’d pay to get rid of a few of them!
Jack;
My son.
You have truely made me look at myself in a constructive manner.
Yes I do have a “So called” bunch of Single Malt Whiskys’ here in the Starwood Abbey; 106, at last count.
I have never considered myself to be a “Collector”, as the only reason the “Collection” started, was the need for a bunch of like-minded holy water tasters to have some place to stash their samples, where it was deemed safe from any drunken stupidity. …yes they trust me, in spite of what someone on this forum might say…!!!
BUT…you are correct; it would appear that I have subjected myself to being in the position that could be called, “A Collector”
Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will try to live up to the high standards set by “Collectors”, the World over.
All in fun…
Fred,
As I mentioned, after reading of your “stash” I started looking at some of the “taster” sites. I’m naive enough to have thought that as long as it’s 15-20 years or older it has to be good. I found out I was wrong. Do you have any recommendations? Remember I live in a remote area and may not be able to find some of the rare stuff. Heck, this county is still dry! Have to drive to the next county or Nashville.
Jack
Jack; I’m far from an expert on Malt Whisky, but do enjoy tasting it and comparing the Single Malts.
What I suggest for a start is to stick with the lower or moderately priced ones. I’d suggest for a start; two extremes.
Highland Park 12 year old, and Laphroaig 10 year old.
The Highland Park is a very smooth enjoyable Whisky, and you will find it most enjoyable.
The Laphroaig is VERY peaty, and has strong flavours of iodine…but after you get your tonge around it; proves to be a very sweet and enjoyable taste.
In any case; seek out a good liquor store and see what they have.
I avoid the Malts that are advertised by the taste of their barrels…but that’s just me.
You might like to look out for the book; “Michael Jackson’s MALT WHISKY Companion”. it is a good book to have if you want a firm base to guide your exploration of Single Malt Whiskies, from Scotland.
Oh, yes…please do not ad ice to your Whisky, if you are comparing tastes, or want the true taste of it. The cold ice kills your taste buds and prevents getting the full taste range.
If you must add water; use distilled water, and only add it by the droplet, untill you find what the water does for or against the taste. We use an eye dropper.
In tasting and comparing several Malts; only pour one ounce shots into an appropriate glass.
Some like tulip shaped whine glasses which allow the nose to just get into the rim. Others like a proper “Tasting glass”. Everyones’ tastes are different…the choice is yours…enjoy.
Fred,
Thank you very much! I’m currently nursing a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 yr Solara Reserve. I am strictly a “neat” drinker so I have leg up there. I’ll check the book and your two recommendations soon.
Jack
The auction went Saturday, total result 300’000 Euro (less than half a million $). Report in the Nürnberger Zeitung; Headline: A sad final act.
HJ,
the scathing criticism of the ‘dynamic duo’ says it all. They put themselves before the company was quoted in the text. Oh what a sweet deal the initial Schontag offer was. To think, taking petty politics out of the sale, someone would have received the company for a lot less than the final arrangement. There must be many in publishing houses thinking, ‘If only’. Ironic that Schontag came under interest of the German court, as no doubt others in the process will also.
HJ,
Did you buy anything?! 
LAO
Tim.
Schöntag was an item of interest for the German courts before he made his contribution to the bankruptcy administrator and the creditors.
Larry Otis said:Yeah sure, I was going to bid on that defective flatbed scanner with the lousy resolution (a real bargain at 20 Euro), but then I found another doorstop that was "no charge". ;) :) ;)
HJ, Did you buy anything?! :) LAO
…grinning…
For those who read German http://www.gartenbahn-forum.de/s.php?m=301617 some of the reasons that even the Kraus-Maffei injection moulding machines didn’t move.
According to the poster (quoting an ex-employee) there was no maintenance since 1998 and the machines were shut down without discharging the last material from the screw … one more for the scrap heap!