Bus memorabilia
Discussion
My Father in Law passed away in April. He was a massive bus fan, he worked for National Express at Victoria Coach Station for many years. He left nothing apart from a massive collection of old bus memorabilia.
This collection includes very old timetables, books, random bus stuff and lots of model buses, nearly all of which are ‘mint in box’.
Now me and my partner have no interest in buses whatsoever and the only connection we have is sentimental. Sentiments aside we have agreed it has to go, we simply don’t have the room for the boxes and boxes of it.
My question is how? I have no idea on value and if it is even valuable? Is there like any dealers who would be interested?
We would rather sell as a job lot, any help would be appreciated.
This collection includes very old timetables, books, random bus stuff and lots of model buses, nearly all of which are ‘mint in box’.
Now me and my partner have no interest in buses whatsoever and the only connection we have is sentimental. Sentiments aside we have agreed it has to go, we simply don’t have the room for the boxes and boxes of it.
My question is how? I have no idea on value and if it is even valuable? Is there like any dealers who would be interested?
We would rather sell as a job lot, any help would be appreciated.
)zetec said:
Thank you....I think 
I don’t use EBay, had a quick look and it looks like buses aren’t really that valuable. Perhaps it might be worth me putting a few on, as there may be a gem or 2 in the collection?
It probably depends on what you have a whetherthere is a willing buyer (of course)I don’t use EBay, had a quick look and it looks like buses aren’t really that valuable. Perhaps it might be worth me putting a few on, as there may be a gem or 2 in the collection?
I had look for some 1960s Western National timetables a few monhs ago and, although I didn't find the area I wanted, the ones I did come acros were certainly not going for big money (ie.£5 to £10)
You could maybe contact the Model Bus Federation for ideas on the models : https://www.model-bus-federation.org.uk/
My father has a similarly ridiculous collection of bus and trolleybus stuff. I wouldn’t know where to start with it all. He started to explain which the ‘interesting’ bits were...just in case. So I told him that if he was bothered where it all went he should start selling it off now. A bit harsh of me I know, but I don’t want to end up in the same situation as the op!
Don't ask me how I know but Youtube has lots of train anoraks, visiting barely used stations, collecting tube maps, train timetables etc. I'd imagine there will be a bus contingent too.
They'll all have social media networks full of like minded people and would be a good place to start. Easy to contact and probably more than willing to help point you in the right direction.
They'll all have social media networks full of like minded people and would be a good place to start. Easy to contact and probably more than willing to help point you in the right direction.
If there's any old signs (as in from bus stops or bus stations/depots), or stuff like ticket machines/punches, rolls of unused tickets etc; that sort of stuff will be worth good money.
Destination blinds off the front of buses can be worth £100-£200 each depending on the age/destinations listed on them/vehicles they came off, if rolled up nicely and not all oily. For example linen destination blinds or any from London routemasters will likely command £200, but more modern paper based blinds far less valuable.
Everything else like books, models and timetables, all very specialist so not of interest to many people, so not worth so much. As another poster said, going along to a bus depot open day at some point and speaking to some of the dealers there is probably the best way to get it dealt with.
There are also various transport memorabilia auctioneers out there who will bundle up and deal with the whole lot for you (for a cut of course).
Sorry for you and your wife's loss.
Destination blinds off the front of buses can be worth £100-£200 each depending on the age/destinations listed on them/vehicles they came off, if rolled up nicely and not all oily. For example linen destination blinds or any from London routemasters will likely command £200, but more modern paper based blinds far less valuable.
Everything else like books, models and timetables, all very specialist so not of interest to many people, so not worth so much. As another poster said, going along to a bus depot open day at some point and speaking to some of the dealers there is probably the best way to get it dealt with.
There are also various transport memorabilia auctioneers out there who will bundle up and deal with the whole lot for you (for a cut of course).
Sorry for you and your wife's loss.
When my father in law passed away his garage was full of old car brochures, workshop manuals etc. I sold them individually on eBay and raised about £3,000.
Some items that we thought were maybe worthless turned out to be the most valuable. The good thing about eBay is (often) your underpricing is fixed by the market.
Some items that we thought were maybe worthless turned out to be the most valuable. The good thing about eBay is (often) your underpricing is fixed by the market.
Did he have any mates (of whom you are aware) or club membership who might help?
Either as a guaranteed appreciative recipient, captive market or just assistance in selling?
When my father died a family friend took most of his machine shop and his model railway club much of his documentation. I've got the rolling stock for when I retire!
There was still a lot of stuff binned though.
We just wanted to draw a line at the time. With hindsight more effort would have been better.
Either as a guaranteed appreciative recipient, captive market or just assistance in selling?
When my father died a family friend took most of his machine shop and his model railway club much of his documentation. I've got the rolling stock for when I retire!
There was still a lot of stuff binned though.
We just wanted to draw a line at the time. With hindsight more effort would have been better.
The Omnibus Society https://www.omnibus-society.org/ has a library of timetables etc and might well be interested in these, though they won't buy them, they only take donations. Be aware that some donations are sold on by the OS to raise funds.
There are numerous bus model dealers who might buy as a job lot (Hattons have been mentioned above) but you won't of course get their true maximum value, but might save you a lot of hassle.
There are numerous bus model dealers who might buy as a job lot (Hattons have been mentioned above) but you won't of course get their true maximum value, but might save you a lot of hassle.
GCH said:
Message this guy
https://londontransportoriginalsigns.co.uk/home.ht...
https://londontransportoriginalsigns.co.uk/home.ht...
did he go to the same web design school as Ling's Cars?Depending on how many models there are www.vectis.co.uk would be a good place to get rid of them. They're specialist toy auctioneers, i've seen items sell there for a lot more than they would sell for on Ebay
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