Air Scout Patch Prices Solid
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.
