[av_heading heading=’LGB special editions stoked toy train collectors’ interest at Alderfer ‘ tag=’h1′ style=” subheading_active=” show_icon=” icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ size=” av-desktop-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” subheading_size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” icon_size=” av-desktop-font-size-1=” av-medium-font-size-1=” av-small-font-size-1=” av-mini-font-size-1=” color=” custom_font=” subheading_color=” seperator_color=” icon_color=” margin=’,,35px,’ av-desktop-margin=” av-desktop-margin_sync=’true’ av-medium-margin=” av-medium-margin_sync=’true’ av-small-margin=’,,20px,’ av-mini-margin=” av-mini-margin_sync=’true’ headline_padding=” headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-desktop-headline_padding=” av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-medium-headline_padding=” av-medium-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-small-headline_padding=” av-small-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-mini-headline_padding=” av-mini-headline_padding_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ av-desktop-padding=” av-medium-padding=” av-small-padding=” av-mini-padding=” icon_padding=’10’ av-desktop-icon_padding=” av-medium-icon_padding=” av-small-icon_padding=” av-mini-icon_padding=” link=” link_target=” title_attr=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lq5a1pyp’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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HATFIELD, Penn. — Founded in 1881, Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk was at one time one of the world’s most prolific and successful toymakers, creating an amazing universe of mechanical tin toys that walked, drove and ‘flew’ to the delight of children everywhere. Like most German manufacturers, they suffered greatly as a result of World War II, and would relocate from their ancestral home in Brandenberg (now in East Germany) to Nuremberg, in West Germany.
The company soldiered on with various toy lines until the 1968 debut of LGB, or Lehmann Gross Bahn (big trains), a 1:22.5 proportion scale offering based on German narrow gauge prototypes. This allowed for tight turns even for such large trains, and the added feature of outdoor operation in all weather boosted the new scale to unexplored heights of popularity.
Lehmann’s LGB line grew and diversified, adding American prototype locomotives and rolling stock to its line. Largely a Baby Boomer phenomenon, as boomers began to retire and sell off their trains, LGB faced strong headwinds, particularly with its German-based production. The family-owned company was forced into bankruptcy and was eventually sold to Marklin, the first name in German model railroading, uniting two iconic model train brands for the first time.
Alderfer Auction conducted an LGB-focused sale on December 13 that reflected the lifetime passion of a dedicated collector who spared no expense to acquire the rarest and most valuable examples of LGB trains ever made. Most of the prices realized reflect both excellent values for bidders and the continuing softness of large-scale model trains in the aftermarket. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.
Topping the sale was an incredibly rare LGB Golden Spike Anniversary set featuring models of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific locomotives that met at Promontory, Utah in 1869. Issued by Marklin in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary, only 299 pieces were released to the public. New in box with its wooden presentation case, the set sold for $4,250 ($5,440 with buyer’s premium). With some new-old stock examples lingering on the internet in the $10,000 range, this sum represented a great deal for the winning bidder.
Under Lehmann ownership, LGB contracted with Japanese brass model railroading manufacturer Aster to create one-off production runs that would (in some cases, barely) negotiate the 1:22.5 proportion track of only 45 millimeters (1.77in). This New York Central J3A Hudson complete with all packaging sold for $3,000 ($3,840 with buyer’s premium), while this Westside Lumber Shay geared locomotive with all its packaging hammered at $2,750 ($3,520 with buyer’s premium).
An Aster-made Denver & Rio Grande Western K-28 no. 473 narrow gauge locomotive and tender resembles the survivors still in operation on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway in Chama, New Mexico and the Durango & Silverton Railroad in Durango, Colorado. It hammered for $2,500 ($3,200 with buyer’s premium).
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Marklin LGB Golden Spike Anniversary set, one of 299 made, which sold for $4,250 ($5,440 with buyer’s premium) at Alderfer Auction.
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Aster-LGB New York Central J3A Hudson, which sold for $3,000 ($3,840 with buyer’s premium) at Alderfer Auction.
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Aster-LGB West Side Lumber Shay, which sold for $2,750 ($3,520 with buyer’s premium) at Alderfer Auction.
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Aster-LGB Denver & Rio Grande Western K-28 steam locomotive, which sold for $2,500 ($3,200 with buyer’s premium) at Alderfer Auction.
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Lehmann LGB Orient Express set, which sold for $2,000 ($2,560 with buyer’s premium) at Alderfer Auction.
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