Prosperity Special
Original boxed set from 1929
In 1929 Ives featured the ornate 'Prosperity Special' in a two page centerfold of their catalog. It couldn't have been more inappropriate for the times - neither Ives nor the country were experiencing very much prosperity. This set sold for $100 at the beginning of the great depression. Arguably the most striking set ever manufactured in it's rich nickel and copper finish, it would appear very few of these sets were sold. The pictures below show one surviving example in mint condition complete with original boxes and packing.
Over 80 inches of copper and nickel
If you look closely you can see the flannel bags that each car came wrapped in to protect the copper finish.
The Prosperity observation looks more like a flyer car with a translucent oval on the observation deck. Other Flyer bodied Ives observations had a brass plate on the deck.
The engine was packed in a cardboard inner box that slide into the outside scenic box.
Original set box for Outfit No. 1000R - Prosperity Special
The Ives Train Society PO Box 72 Forestville NY ● 14062 ● Historian@ivestrains.org
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