Funny true story.
I love miniatures. Always did.
About 10 years ago I decided to get a Marx plane. The little wood planes are probably the cutest of the series. They have a real steel blade. You could sharpen one up and use it to ruin the piano!!
How can you to that? heeheh
So I got one in really nice crispy shape and then used some stain and shellac to tone the garish bright orange plastic handle down, to a little more tolerable look.
Left it out on the room divider for a couple years. Kind of a paperweight.
Then a really weird thing happened.
Several guys at once wanted them (out of nowhere) and began bidding them up to the nosebleed section. 20, 40, $60 !!!
I was blown away, but after a week of it, what the hell??
I took pictures of my own toy and put it up.
Got nearly 50 bucks for it!
Of course as soon as the little group all had one, the price promptly went back to a couple/5 dollars apiece.
In fact, following the mad rush more than ever came falling out of the cracks and the price went even lower than usual.
I see them offered for 6 or $8 buy-it-now these days. Less for an auction.
yours Scott