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From a matchbook cover
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Specialising in railroad antiquities for sale.
I have been heavily involved in the continuing story of the Railroad Museum of New England (www.rmne.org) a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, whose mission is to provide a glimpse of the mid-20th century life as it relates to the railroads in New England.
Since having a 19.6 mile preserved railway to maintain and operate, life has become more complex and rewarding.
In any case, my primary collecting focus is on anything Naugatuck Railroad. Things that are needed (other than a donation or so to the Museum directly) are any photographs of the Thomaston CT station - interior especially, since we are restoring the little sucker, bit by bit.
Also, postcard views of the railroad in context from Devon to Winsted CT is welcome.
My Holy Grail is finding out what "Lofty Crest" was. North of Waterbury, across the Naugatuck River Bridge & before Frost Bridge Road (Watertown) - most likely east of the electric company substation, there is an reference to it in a New Haven Railroad valuation map & it appears that it is a station - but who knows? |
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Beagle heaven & hell.
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| Explanation of Condition used in auction descriptions Description of
condition.
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Mint (M)
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Apparently as new. In
original container, if applicable. Unused.
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Excellent (E)
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Almost perfect with at
most minor flaws.
Examples:
Paper – light edge wear,
light folding/bending during storage
Hardware - light tarnishing, small rim
“fleabites” on lantern globe rims.
CD’s – fingerprints/dust.
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Very good (VG)
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Light or normal wear. Use
does not detract from appearance.
Examples:
Paper - light soiling, light paper
darkening, small dog-ear folds, edge wrinkling, edge wear, small tears within
margins, wrinkling due to moisture or minor foxing.
Hardware - light tarnishing,
rust spots, small rim chips on lantern globes or any repairable defect by a
competent craftsman.
CD’s – small scratch(s) which do not
affect playback.
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Good (G)
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Substantial wear. Some
noticeable defects - minor effect on appearance.
Examples:
Paper - minor creasing, minor tears, weak folds - prone
to separating, clipped corners (postcards), foxing, minor margin chipping,
loose bindery/pages, water damage with minor paper loss, abrasions/adhesions
resulting in minor disfigurement, writing or marking of artifact.
Hardware - heavy but restorable
tarnishing, pitting, large chips on lantern rims, globe cracks not in panel
area, minor dents, missing common part (such as a font for a lantern frame).
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Fair (F)
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Heavy wear. Significant
defects - appearance is detracted.
Examples:
Paper - major creasing, material torn but all pieces
intact, major chipping, significant water damage, page separations,
binder/cover/spine separations, heavy abrasion, mildew damage, brittle paper.
Glue damage on backs of passes/tickets.
Hardware - missing non-readily
replaceable part, major dent, rusted through areas, globe cracks through
panel or glued globes (no missing pieces).
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Poor (P)
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Suitable for research
purposes or until a better example is available.
Paper - missing pages, parts of pages, sections, covers,
spines. Pages glued together.
Hardware - Unusable for intended
purpose, missing or ill-fitting parts. Globes with missing pieces.
Disfiguring marks.
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Grading will often be refined by placing a
"+" or a "-" to the conditions listed above. Generally this
is done for VG & G.
Please note: Where there are components to
an item, such as a lantern, or a book with a dust jacket, each component may be
evaluated separately for a more accurate description.
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Favorite Links
Railroad Musem of New England
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