A "Summer Reading is Fun, and collectable" auction

[ezdays]

We have an unusual item that we're auctioning off. This item was graciously donated by Jim Currie, a long-time member here. We are auctioning off a bound volume of the 1934 January-December issues of Model Railroader Magazine. This is a rare opportunity to own this keepsake, plus being able to read though its contents. As you can see by the photos, it's in remarkably good shape given it's age, it's not mint, I doubt that anything this old is in mint condition, but this has to be one of few available, and the only one that I know of in an auction like this. We are extremely excited to be able to offer this.

Jim obviously appreciates that Big Blue is run without ads and without a sponsor. We survive by having folks like Jim around that are willing to donate either money or items of value to auction off in order to keep us running year after year. Our costs are going up every year, and we've not had a fund raiser in a very long time, thanks to your generosity with your donations and through auctions like this. Mikey and I started Big Blue ten years ago with a commitment to you that we will not take ads or sponsors to keep Big Blue going, and we've kept our promise, now we need your support to help us.

Now, let’s get started. We are offering this bound volume #1 of Model Railroader Magazine to the highest bidder. Here are the bidding rules:

1. There is no minimum bid but there is a reserve, the highest bidder over the reserve at the time the auction closes will get the book.
   
2. This auction is open to all members of Big Blue in good standing, (sorry spammers)...
   
3. Please keep you bid raises in increments of at least a dollar or more.
   
4. You can bid publicly by posting your bid in this thread. This thread is for bidding only; any comments or questions should be made in this thread or by PM to either ezdays or ngauger. Non-bid posts will be deleted from this thread.
   
5. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf, (we will post the bid amount, but keep your name confidential, just like at those big auction houses). You may also want to give us the maximum you would want to go and we’ll bid for you by adding in whatever increment you want above the last bid, up the maximum that you have set, again, just like Christie’s does for the big boys.
   
6. The auction will run for three weeks until after I've had my coffee on the morning of July 12 (around 6AM PST), at which time I will check for any last-minute bids and will announce the winner.
   
7. The successful bidder will pay all shipping costs. Remember, the book will be shipping from the USA.
   
8. Payment can be by PayPal, check or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.
   
   

Remember, 100% of the proceeds from this auction is to help keep Big Blue running, so we are depending on you for your support and it's nice to give something back in return. Remember also to thank Jim Currie for his generous contribution to this auction.