We’re regularly asked for our opinions on hobby trends and prices. Although this is the deepest recession most of us have ever gone through the evidence is that Scout memorabilia are a solid collectible. Case in point  – long time dealer Jim Clough, himself an Air Scout Ace, recently posted a selection of Air Scout memorabilia on eBay that have now closed.

This program was started in the mid-1940s and ended in the early 1960s. It never was a particularly large program. At its peak it may have had 8,000 Scouts in a given year. I, and I think others, find it some of the most distinctive insignia the BSA ever produced. Even with eBay now flooded with Scout listings due to a free listing special, these items brought solid and arguably record prices.

For example, here’s a set of Air Scout rating strips that Jim offered.

Mostly all mint but not all (Ace Airman looks used). Price realized: $1,775.

My ‘hip pocket’ value for this set was $1,000 – $1,200. Individual prices would add up to more but I’ve always found it emotionally hard to break a set as it is a challenging set to put together.

Other prices realized for Air Scout items he offered:

Air Scout ranks with ‘Air Scout’

1 prop MB $38 (no sale)

2 prop MB $75 (no sale)

3 prop MB $125 (no sale)

4 prop $195 (sold)

Air Scout ranks w/o ‘Air Scout’

1 prop MB $90 (no sale)

2 prop MB $150 (no sale)

3 prop (highest made) $360 (sold)

Air Exploring ranks with ‘Air Exploring’

1 prop not offered

2 prop $150 (sold)

3 prop $270 (sold)

4 prop $470 (sold)

As an aside, he also offered an Air Scout numeral, 7, which brought the minimum bid of $25. Again, a VERY tough series to put together.

I’ll pull out my price reference books for some historical comparisons.