The memorabilia - drying up?

[BlkHawk73]

Wasn't long ago the memorabilia was seen posted up for sale on on the auction sites fairly regularly. Now, it's rarely seen. Has the interest in this stuff dried up or are those with it simply keeping it or not knowing what it is, tossing it in their yard sale piles?
Have decided a bunch should go find new homes but without the buying market...

 

[hittman]

It’s a pretty limited market for memorabilia. A hard sell unless you know who to offer it to and seems the majority of people don’t. Lots of “smalls” have little value these days. At a recent estate auction there were 6 nice curio cabinets full of glass and china figurines and such ….. ended up selling for $50 each including the contents.

 

[NH Rugerman]

I am afraid that the Ruger memorabilia market has gone soft over the last few years, especially the paper stuff which seems to have lost all collector interest, locally, many retiring Ruger employees have been selling their entire memorabilia collections for a fraction of what they used to be worth.

i know that i bought an entire 25 year employee’s collection and overpaid for it just because it was the right thing to do…many others have either given up trying to sell their collections, not worth the efforts i have heard. also, have found numerous items at local thrift shops.

I don’t think the younger guys care about the stuff and don’t value the original “SR” items….

I have pretty much devalued my memorabilia by 75%….

 

[eveled]

From a strictly practical point of view. Money is better spent on ammo than memorabilia.

If it gives you pleasure to collect and look at memorabilia then it is money well spent, but it won’t make you rich.

I’ve always enjoyed looking at what memorabilia you guys have, but never caught the bug.

 

[hittman]

Some years ago I bought John Deere and IH factory owners manuals for tractors and implements made in the 1930s through 1950s.

Looking at eBay right now, they’re worth $10 to $12 each! :mad: Nothing like 1990s pricing, that’s for sure.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I still search every day but I agree with the above posts, it's a far cry from what it once was.
I enjoy looking at mine as well as other collectors collections when they display them or post pictures on the forums.

A lot of the memorabilia of older collectors quite often sells at estate sales, usually at bargain prices.
There is a father & son team up in Conway, NH who are serious Ruger memorabilia collector's who have a very large collection.
They recently bought out two Ruger employee's collections that dwarfed theirs!! ;) The son is building an addition onto his house to handle the over flow.
So there is still some interest out there.
Terry

 

[1gunsnotenough]

Years ago I collected Winchester, Remington and other manufacturers 22lr advertising, counter displays, signs, ammo boxes etc. Then when Obama got elected I got to thinking about what had more use ephemera or firearms. So sold all my stuff and put the money into expanding my gun collection and accessories.

 

[flotbolt3006]

Terry I need their contact information. I have a few totes that need a new home.

 

[contender]

I truly enjoy the memorabilia & other odd stuff. And much of the old paperwork can be used as documented proof of what was built & when.
To me,, it's a big part of the history.

But I too have seen a soft market for much of it. I just hope I live long enough to see another turn-around & interest goes back up.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Terry I need their contact information. I have a few totes that need a new home.

Why don't you just offer those totes of Ruger Memorabilia here on the forum ??
Unless your just selling totes ? ;)
Terry

 

[GRAMPS 51]

I still buy when i happen to stumble across it but will not pay crazy prices i enjoy looking at the stuff sitting on little shelves in the gun room

Gramps

 

[eveled]

Part of the problem is Ruger trying to capitalize on memorabilia. Almost as bad as Harley Davidson. How many mugs and glasses and t shirts and coasters do you need?

I know you guys are talking the employee gifts and such, but I still feel like Ruger has overwhelmed us with mass produced common stuff making the rare stuff seem less special.

I mean how would the average guy (potential new collector) know if its a rare employee gift from 1972 or just a glass from shopruger 2019?

The reality is they both look just as good on a shelf in your man cave.

Its not just Rugers either it’s across all hobbies. 20 years ago my father inlaw began selling off his massive Beattles collection because he saw it coming.

He kept what he truly liked and enjoyed, but stopped thinking of it as investments.

He likes to tell about a co worker of his that spent 10’s of thousands of dollars on beanie babies. Lol.

 

[RSIno1]

If it was made as a "collectable" it isn't.

Part of the problem is Ruger trying to capitalize on memorabilia. Almost as bad as Harley Davidson. How many mugs and glasses and t shirts and coasters do you need?

If it was made as a "collectable" it isn't.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

But..................just try to equitably purchase a First edition WBR lighter or metal shot glass..................

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

For those of you who do not visit the R.O.C.S. website, here is an interesting and very rare piece that the father & son discovered.

http://www.rugersociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&p=22244#p22244

 

[eveled]

That is a really cool piece for sure.

Not that it matters but, I bought some files at a swap meet in NH. Out of a drum full of them.

The story was they came from Ruger.

Of course with no provenance it was “buy the files, not the story”

 

[jussbad]

Some items are rarely seen in collections. I agree most memorabilia is a tough sell.

 

[rugerguy]

I do know the so called memorabilia of a more "common" nature like said mugs, glasses and coffee cups,, catalogs, from the 70s and 80s,we have been trying to sell at almost ALL the guns shows and very little of it sells, much of it we just use,,,,,,.,,,,wore out three of the stainless coffee mugs......;):cool::rolleyes:

 

[RPM Enterprises]

Memorabilia seems to be not as available as in the past but I still believe it is still sought after by most Ruger collectors. Personally I don't go after Memorabilia beyond year 2000, I prefer th SR logo items.

 

[sixmranch]

I think part of it is, Ruger hasn't been around very long. I collect Smith, Marlin and Winchester memorabilia. Ruger stuff isn't as interesting.

 

[arcticruger]

Memorabilia seems to be not as available as in the past but I still believe it is still sought after by most Ruger collectors. Personally I don't go after Memorabilia beyond year 2000, I prefer th SR logo items.

I do as well.

 

[contender]

Ruger may not be as old as other makers,, but the way to secure the rare stuff is to collect it NOW, before it disappears like so much of the "other brands" of stuff.

 

[Fargo General Store]

Terry I need their contact information. I have a few totes that need a new home.

I have always been very interested in good old memorabilia, but since I have a majority of the common stuff, I am willing to pay for the somewhat rare items like the old lighters, clear 10-22 clips, coffee cups, knives, gun cases. The best thing is to list them with a price, even if it is a tote full just take a picture and put a price on it. There are still newer collectors that have interest as long as it is priced. Let it fly!

 

[thinckley]

Memorabilia is only going to continue to depreciate in price. You should just sell it all to me right now. :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Some of the rarer pieces are going up or holding steady, I think part of the issue, especially for new collectors, is they do not know what is out there.

 

[contender]

"I think part of the issue, especially for new collectors, is they do not know what is out there."

This is where the history,, the printed material, the display shows etc can all educate newer collectors.
By sharing & showcasing older, rare, unusual items,, with the known history allows new collectors a chance to see & seek out such items.

 

[RoninPA]

I think that a lot of the Ruger collectors that set up displays at shows is NOT to "show off" (well maybe a little bit :D) their treasured firearms and memorabilia, but to get show goers to ask questions about the firearms AND about the Sturm/Ruger brand and how it became one of the top firearms brands in the US. Answering thise questions gets people interested which leads to more questions and more interest.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I completely agree with the above advise, and I too would like to see a new collector surge of interest. :unsure:
I remember when a set of the Ruger Red, Yellow & White Steins sold for $500.00....now around $200.00 - $250.00.
Hell I paid $125.00 just for my undated Stein. :(

But I am still on the hunt and have been fortunate lately.
I finally was able to get one of the Rare Old Red & Gold banners to go with my Ruger table cloth, it was NIB (bag). :) ;)

Just lately with the help of Rocs members Bill Walker & Terry Wolosek I was finally able to buy Ruger's Rare 1st Poker Chip Set! :)

Then ROCS members Bill Hamm & Troy Riggenbach helped me acquire a Very Rare Pewter Shot Glass after years of hunting. Also snagged
a "Ruger Investment Foundry" mold tool, From ROCS Historian Don Findley. Been a few good months.

Good Hunting,
Terry

 

[Yaworski]

Thirty years ago, I started accumulating then collecting Boy Scout stuff. I acquired one of every edition of the Boy Scout handbook except for the first. Today, they're selling for less than what I paid for them. Since I don't have receipts, if I sell them, I'll be taxed on the entire amount.

 

[golferboy426]

Thirty years ago, I started accumulating then collecting Boy Scout stuff. I acquired one of every edition of the Boy Scout handbook except for the first. Today, they're selling for less than what I paid for them. Since I don't have receipts, if I sell them, I'll be taxed on the entire amount.

Your tax statement is not correct

 

[Yaworski]

Your tax statement is not correct

Please elucidate. As I understand it, ebay will send me a 1099 and I get to pay tax on that amount unless I can show the cost of the items sold.