The Worlds Most Famous Model Train Layout Sells For World Record Price of nearly a Quarter Million Dollars as Total Auction Sales Reach Nearly $4.6 Million
BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (PRWEB)October 6 2003-- One of the worlds most spectacular model train layouts was the highlight of RM Auctions recent sale of the contents of the trains, vintage toys, artwork and classic cars from Richard Kughns Carail Museum. The custom-built 1,500 square-foot layout, designed by Kughn for his 50,000 square-foot private museum, featured 11 trains on five levels and hundreds of extremely rare Lionel period accessories and rolling stock, including 12 Hell Gate bridges, assorted roundhouses, mint buildings and scenery pieces, set a world record price of $218,000.
The two-day, no-reserve auction was held September 20-21 at the Carail Museum in Detroit, Michigan and attracted hundreds of international buyers, who participated in person or through phone and online bidding, aggressively vying for the huge quantity of remarkable, often one-of-a-kind pieces that were available. Following two days of spirited bidding, RM Auctions posted total sales of $4.6 million.
I am very pleased with the weekend results and extremely happy to know that the marvelous standard gauge layout, which I considered the crowning achievement of Carail, as well as all of the other toys, trains, books, art and classic cars went to good homes,” says Kughn. There were hundreds of passionate and avid collectors on hand and it was gratifying to know they will maintain, cherish and appreciate these treasures as much as I have, and hopefully pass them along for future generations to enjoy.”
Richard Kughn and his wife Lindas vast collection represented more than 50 years of collecting and encompassed some of the finest examples of vintage toys, model trains and classic cars in America. Kughns passion for collecting paralleled his successful career in real estate and continued through his recent tenure as the owner of the Lionel Company. In addition to the Carail offerings, other select model trains from the Kughns collection have been sold by RM Auctions over the last two months, reaching sales of more than $1 million.
The Carail Museum sale featured a number of items that exceeded pre-sale estimates, including what David Schultz, president of the Lincoln Owners Club called absolutely a world record result for a Lincoln” for the special 1939 Royal Tour Sedan listed below:
· 1934 Duesenberg Model SJ Boattail Speedster – with a one-of-a-kind, special order
body completed by the Walton Body Shop which was once part of the famous William
Harrah Collection, $429,000 (est. $300,000 -$400,000).
· 1939 Lincoln Model K V12 Royal Tour Sedan – with custom coachwork by
LeBaron, this Royal” Lincoln was used by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth for a
1939 Tour of Canada, and later by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a North
American Tour in 1959, $385,000 (est. $250,000-$300,000)
· Peter Maier Oil on Canvas – a dramatic work by acclaimed artist Peter Maier of a
stunning 1929 Deusenberg, full frontal view, measuring 70 inches by 85.5 inches that
inaugurated the Carail art collection, $37,375 (est. $10,000 -$15,000).
· Two 1928 A.C. Gilbert Erector Sets – considered to be premier examples, the No. 10
and No.12 Erector sets in their original wooden boxes, contained all of the earliest
parts, plus original cardboard, manuals and drawers, $8,100 (Est. $2,000 - $4,000)
· Lionel Union Pacific Model Train – this rare custom-built Lionel O” gauge engine
and tender mounted on a display track sold for $4,300 (Est. $650 -$750)
We are very honored to been able to have the opportunity to successfully organize and promote such an extraordinary estate collection as Carail,” says company founder Rob Myers. At RM we share the same passion for collecting that our customers thrive on, and understand the importance collectors place on obtaining quality pieces and those once-in-a-lifetime collecting opportunities.”
A second phase of the Richard and Linda Kughn/Madison Hardware sale, featuring a collection of Lionel, American Flyer, Marx and other model trains, will take place on November 21-23 at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Michigan. Hosted in conjunction with RM Auctions Michigan Fall Classic Car Auction, part two of the Madison Hardware sale will include thousands of pieces of trains and rolling stock sets, many still unopened in their original packaging. For additional information on this and other upcoming sales, visit www.rmauctions.com.
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North American based RM Auctions Inc. is the leading auction house specializing in investment quality automobiles and collectables. With offices in Canada and the U.S., the company offers premium auction related services including automotive restoration, estate appraisals and auction sales. RMs group sales have increased steadily each year, and are anticipated at more than $100 million in 2003. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., please call (800) 211-4371, or vist the companys website at: www.rmauctions.com.
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