Taylor Stevenson wrote:
As much as I would love them to be four figures, that's a bit steep... Mid to maybe upper hundreds depending on the manual and its condition. I have 20 or so original B-17 manuals. Anyone who gives me four figures each can take them as a lot...
fiftycal, everyone gets a deal now and then. Realistically, original B-17 manuals are around a 10X+ multiple of your Bell purchase price. Once again, depending on the manual and the condition.
Hello:
Do you have, or are you aware of another excellent+ example of this same 600 page, color, hardcover, leatherbound, factory field manual for sale in the "upper hundreds" please? I have declined a couple of offers in the low four figures and, I have retained the contact information. I would think the persons making the offers, who were associated with B-17 restoration or flying, would likely be interested.
Also, if you have ever seen one of these sold, anywhere, anytime, I would be very interested in seeing the advertisement and price.
I am always ready to stand corrected, but only if it has basis and verifiable reference. Very similar to the Merlin Engine we are trying to sell, the price on this manual really should not be criticized if there are no others for sale on the planet. I wish I could post photographs, but they just don't stick to the photo location here, and I am not computer saavy.
I have number of storage buildings full of amazing vintage aircraft related material, much of which was aquired 60 years ago. The collector was a B-17 Flight Engineer with the 8th AF 390th HBG out of Framlingham England during WWII. He went on to be a manufacturer-supplier for many of the aircraft, and aircraft engine manufacturers right after the war. Some of his customers were Patt & Whitney, Bell, Rockwell, Sperry, Gruman, Curtis, North American and all branches of the U.S. Military. He was always returning home in the 50's with trailerloads of aircraft parts and items his clients felt obsolete, no longer wanted or were selling cheap. For years we had a powered up Norden Bombsite as a glass coffee table base.
The sort of replies I see here, is what causes hessitation on my part to advertise anything. I really don't know which Internet sites are viewed by serious, capable parties involved in aircraft restoration, and which sites are primarily onlookers. I have thousands of unique items to sell, many of which are receipted or valued.
However, after the $20. valuation / comparison comment here, I have concerns over the site veiwer limitations. These items have not lost value. I have, for example, original WWII Combat Pilot logbooks, frameable manufacturers blueprint aircraft marking templates, and thousands of original manufacturer photos, to name a couple, but would not bother to put them up for sale at this point, for fear of more advisement they are valueless.
Thank you. Dolores
