[farquard]

Looking thru some 1950's Lionel catalogs, I don't see any set numbers after 1954.

So if the set numbers are not in the catalog after 1954, then where/how did a set number get assigned to a catalogued set?

Thanks.

PS - If I'm missing something really basic here, please know that I'm old and have these moments.

 

[T-Man]

I use a Doyle and a Greenberg collector guide. They have set numbers listed every year.

Are you looking for a particular set?

 

[farquard]

Thank you, T-man. No, I'm not looking for any particular set.

I'm trying to find out where/how the set numbers were established, since they stopped putting them in the catalog. That is, I thought the catalog was the official record of catalogued sets.

 

[T-Man]

Just buy the booK? link

AMazon let's you view it. Just for a twenty.

 

[farquard]

T-man,

Thanks. But I'm not trying to look up any numbers. If I had a list of every catalog set number that Lionel every made, I'd still have the same question.

I guess I'm not asking the question very clearly. But I don't know any other way to phrase it. Maybe I ought to just forget this one.

Thanks for trying though.

 

[Millstonemike]

Thank you, T-man. No, I'm not looking for any particular set.

I'm trying to find out where/how the set numbers were established, since they stopped putting them in the catalog. That is, I thought the catalog was the official record of cataloged sets.

All else being equal, I would think the same staff continued to devise and assign set numbers going forward - likely at various offices commensurate with Lionel's evolving locations over time. From their master list: Set boxes were printed with the assigned number. Sales likely took orders on the numbers as well, mfg.'ing, purchasing, marketing, etc. all working off the set numbers to sell, produce and ship product.

Lionel always had the numbers. They just elected to stop publishing them in the catalog.

My take (SWAG) ...

 

[farquard]

Mike,

Thank you for the info.

I forgot about those set boxes having the set number.

Thanks again.