Vintage Archery Tackle.....Good Investment????

[TRAP]

I'm sure at least some of you have asked yourself what your collection of vintage archery tackle might be worth someday.  

I think most of us have a grasp on what certain items would bring if they were sold today, but what will they be worth when our children sell them or when their children sell them.  

Some will say, who cares, just enjoy the stuff while you have it. I myself, prescibe to this philosophy, but it's hard to not look at a collection as an investment of some sorts.  

When I hear collectors talk about bow sales, broadhead sales and sale of other tackle from 5-10 years ago, apparently prices were much higher than they are today.  Will these prices continue to decline over the next 10, 20, 30 years?  

I realize the economy has a great impact on price tags, but there are other factors that play a significant role in the value of any collectible.  Collector interest, historical significance,  availability, etc, etc.

Take for example, selfbows from the 30s 40s 50s.  Are there any that come close to demanding the prices of a Grumley?  It stands to reason that there were many other selfbows made by reputable bowyers but at least at a glance, many seem to have drifted into obscurity.  

Will the 59 Kodiak always command above average prices when compared to other recurves made during the same era.  

Will future collectors be more attracted to bows that were available when they were kids?  Maybe, 70s and even 80s model bows like Kodiak Hunters, Super Kodiaks, Super Magnums will be all the rage.

The economy will no doubt turn around someday.  Will the vintage archery tackle prices increase along with a booming economy or will the old classics be less desirable and less sought after.  

Just thought I'd share some rambling pondering.  What are your thoughts?  

Trap

[Cody Roiter]

Trap.. I do think once all this  economy  stuff is over with.. The price will inneed go back up.. But who knows how long that will be.. I myself with the stuff I have I.E the bows and some of my odd arrows I been thinking about holding on to them..  Intell the price comes back up,

Cody

[portugeejn]

I pretty much only buy stuff that I think I could at least expect a return of what I originally paid.  That said, it has kept me from getting a few things that I would have liked but couldn't justify at the time.  Now I could, but they don't sell as cheap as they used to!  And I am not really a collector, just an accumulator of interesting old archery stuff.  (Mostly Bear, but that is because my wife grew up 15 miles from Grayling.)

I do wonder often if there will be a big to-do over 1960 bows next year when they are 50, 1961 bows when they are 50 and so on-like the 1959's are now.  

As for future value, they ain't making them any more--but they really are worth what someone will pay for them.  I myself have succumbed to the “I used to have one of those when I was a kid” justification for purchase, and I don’t think I am alone in that.  It will probably continue, along with the “My dad/grandpa/uncle (or mom/grandma/aunt!) had one of those when I was growing up.”

My 2 cents.

RonP

[TRAP]

Cody and Ron, Thank you for your thoughts.

Ron, I do think there will be some hoopla over 1960 bows when they become 50 years old.  We won't likely be around when these bows turn 100 so we might as well celebrate their 50 year mark.  

Trap

[Bjorn]

I think vintage archery equipment is a decent investment if you are not in a hurry-it is seasonal and cyclical, and has likely done better than those 'blue chip' stocks!  

[Wade Phillips]

Having been a serious collector of archery tackle for over 30 years, I may have a little different perspective than some who collect only select items.

I have seen prices go up and down with the times and with the interest in specific things.

When the Internet boom for online auctions hit, about 10 years ago, prices began to go up dramatically...  

I collect 1870s to 1940s wooden bows, 1930s to 1951 Grumley Bows, 1950 to 1966 Bear Kodiaks, 1955 to 1967 Bear Kodiak Specials, 1871-1971 broadheads, 1870s to arrows, Archery books, magazines and catalogs and miscellaneous memorabilia. Many of these prices have remained fairly stable over the times, but others have increased, then dropped.

While many prices have declined over the past few years, some prices have actaully increased in that same period.  

For the most part the prices that have declined, are the ones that were over valued to begin with. Anyone with a lot of experience should have been able to recognize those over valued items.

One factor that is seldom taken into consideration is the specific parties who were bidding on these items and driving the prices up. In the past few years, many of the previous well moneyed bidders are no longer involved in the bidding and buying items. Some have actually sold many items.

According to the consumer price Index, $100 in 1979 is the equivalent of $297.48 in 2009. That is nearly tipple in 30 years.

Speaking for myself, in 1979 each $100 I spent wisely on collectible archery items, is worth far more than $297.48 today.

In all fairness, in 1979, I never bought anything in an auction. Winning an auction really isn't winning... Logically it is agreeing to pay more for the item than anyone else...

I have no idea what the prices of archery tackle will be like 30 years from now in 2039. It's not likely that I will be alive then to compare prices to the previous 30 or 60 years.

[Tom I.]

Here's a bit of reality....any collection of specialized interest, be it archery, guns, or pottery, only has value to PEOPLE who have similar interests. If the greatest collection of whatever in the world, goes to an estate auction,
it will sell for peanuts, UNLESS the auction is advertised to other collectors.  I've witnessed this many times.  We have a good example on this forum right now...someone just bought a Grizzly for $25.00.  
I'm fortunate enough to live near an auction company that specializes in firearms auctions.
Therefore, I feel my gun collection will bring enough for my wife to take a couple cruises, at least, once I kick the bucket.  
Tom I.

[d. ward]

Friggen left eyed right handed shooters are all screwed up anydamnway.
I think this is a great thread and we should keep this going for a bit and note if we see any changes.
I was a bow pimp because thats what I was born to do.Then I fell head over heels in lust with one of my marketable gems I had hanging around.This little 5'tall 57 pound tinyest little tips you ever seen sweetie born in fiftynine she swept me off my feet and the rest is history...bd

[reddogge]

Archery collections are just like gun collections.  Yes, they do appreciate over time, at least my guns have.  The big drawback to collecting ANYTHING as an investment is...

1.  You have to store it.  Storing a lot of stuff takes space.  Storing enough stuff to make a real killing on your hobby would take a warehouse.
2.  It is subject to theft, fire, water damage, rust, etc.  Just look in the Pow Wow for the fire loss BKrebs just suffered.
3.  You should insure it if it is your investment.
4.  The market could change at a moments notice.

Therefore I'd have to say bow and archery tackle make a poor investment however a fun hobby to persue.  My take.

[TimberlineX]

INVESTMENT? Maybe. Sorta. Kinda. If you understand the market, buy right and then sell the instant someone is willing to pay handsomely. But that’s tough, tricky and stressful. It can become more like a job than a hobby.

I much prefer to think of it as ENTERTAINMENT. Learning, buying, selling, trolling. Make it fun. Move with the winds, the market and your latest whim. And by all means shoot the stuff that’s still shootable. That and the learning may be the biggest kick of all.

Bill Krenz
Colorado

[TonyW]

The best investment is USPS, FedEx, and UPS!

No matter how the collectors or sellers fare - they win everytime.

[PAPALAPIN]

Her is an interesting thought.

Take a recurve bow from the late '70's  and a wheelie bow from the same year.

See what you can sell the recurve for...and the wheelie bow, then compare those prices to the orginal sale price.

My point is, old wheelie bows don't hold their value like traditional bows do.

Tradtitonal bows don't vary that much in design wjile high tech wheelie bows are continually developing.

A bow from the '60's or '70's will possibl be as effective as a new traditional bow made today.

Compare the performanc of the first Mathewes bow th the last model made and see the difference.

For this reason, I would NEVER consider any wheelie bows as an investment.

Now, in my collection, I have my decesed X-Father in laws origina; Allen Compoound bow.  What a contraption...30% let off... but that's where it all started for the compounds.

[Tox Collector]

In my archery collecting, I have concentrated more on books, prints, manuscripts, paper and ephemera rather that tackle although I do have some tackle.  I've seen the price of the more scarce books increase substantially.  

Some of these titles just can't be found today.  Having said that, while it is nice to visualize that your collection will command a nice high price when you go to sell it -- in actuality, it depends on who wants it bad enough and what they are willing to pay.  

While I can't help but think that my collection represents an investment, I try to concentrate on the fact that I collect simply because its interesting and I enjoy it.  

No one knows what the future is going to bring and what economic uncertainties may exist at the exact time you need to sell your collection.  A lot of luck is involved.

Someone suggested that you need to find an auction house that understands your collection and can market it accordingly -- that is good advice.

Isn't archery collecting a lot of fun!

[texophilite]

I am not much of a collector. When i was in the business we would hve people offer to trade thier old archery gear for a new compound. I would trade for those items that i thought would look good on our walls. I did wind up with a few nice items and became interested in old Bear and Wing items.

With that said, the things that i have since aquired are the items that i wanted to own when i could not afford them. What i really intended to say is, buy or trade for those things that you like and if they happen to increase in value thats just icing on the cake.