Coleman price guide

[Ivar the Red]

Hey Coleman guys,

I was wondering if I could tap your knowledge. I thought it would be interesting if those who have been in the collecting game for a while could put together a few examples of what some of these little jewels cost. Maybe some hints about what to look for, what to stay away from, and what might be the holy grail. I realize there may be a monetary difference between, say, California and here in Oklahoma...but this could be a guide for us future collectors. Thanks in advance.

[rainjer]

There is a Coleman collectors guide. They call it "The Green Book". It is several years old and out of print. The last copy I saw was selling for $125.00. I understand there is a new version coming out but it will only be sold to International Coleman Collector Club members I believe.

As far as prices and what to look for that is hard. Condion, and rarity will drive prices up. Ebay is a bad example for prices in my opinion. Some go for stupid prices just becase they are in good shape. The other thing about prices is they are only worth what someone will pay. Most lanterns I would not pay more than $20-30 for.

As far as what to look for, that is personal preference. I like the nickel and single mantle lanterns personally. I have a very short list of lanterns I want.
200A Burgandy
200A Christmas Lantern
200A Black Band
200A Gold Bond
Sears 220 style Lantern
220 style Slant
236 lantern

Jeremy

[Zollinger]

Geez Louise you don't ask for much do ya Johnny. That's like asking how much costs to build a teardrop or restore a vintage trailer. Depends upon your tastes and your building abilities. I won't pay much more than $5-$10 for a common lantern. If your just starting out I'd stay away the from the Mil-Specs., just because it is hard to find parts for them. Just about any Coleman lantern can be fixed, as long as you don't mind fiddling around with them. Have found a few that I threw on a set of mantle and it fired right up even though it was sitting in a barn for 20 years. Just remember a couple of things..... #1 they breed while your back is turned. #2 It's all Doug and Jeremy's fault #3 as soon as people see you have a couple of lanterns they will start bringing them to you! Just my 2 cents worth. I'm sure someone else will add to the list!
Oh ya I totally agree with Jeremy about E-pray. Some of the prices there are WAY out of line. If you pay attention most of the high priced ones are going to Japan. Also there is a rash of fake Gold Bonds also. I wonder why no one is faking the Turds? (Ugly Brown 70's ones)

[starleen2]

One thing that I factor into the "worth" of a Coleman lantern is the condition of the ventilator (the cap, or top). this piece is porcelain coated to resist heat. it cannot be painted, the paint would just cook off - even high temp. If it has a lot of chips or dents in it - then I walk on past - the only exception is an oddity or super rare one. To get a ventilator redone costs about $25.00 to $40.00 dollars

[Ivar the Red]

Ok....so....today I found a stash of some lanterns at an antiques place.
Here are a couple of examples of prices.

A '59 200a with a busted globe-$20
Another 200a, complete-$40
A '79 220-$15

He has others as well but he was getting ready to close up for the day. I did see a Sears lantern, a red and green one, and a couple of silver ones. One of the silver ones is a Aida Special, really cool, has a fuel gauge on the cap. $65 for that one.



He didn't know if any of them works, it's kind of a consignment shop, he's selling them for someone else.

[hotrod]

Ok....so....today I found a stash of some lanterns at an antiques place.
Here are a couple of examples of prices.

A '59 200a with a busted globe-$20
Another 200a, complete-$40
A '79 220-$15

He has others as well but he was getting ready to close up for the day. I did see a Sears lantern, a red and green one, and a couple of silver ones. One of the silver ones is a Aida Special, really cool, has a fuel gauge on the cap. $65 for that one.



He didn't know if any of them works, it's kind of a consignment shop, he's selling them for someone else.

I passed on an aida special a couple weeks ago, didnt have a spare 30 dollar bill in my pocket.. awesome looking lantern tho. I dont think I would pay more than $25 for anything unless I really really had to have it...

[rainjer]

A '59 200a with a busted globe-$20

Offer $10.00.

Another 200a, complete-$40

Offer $20.00

A '79 220-$15

Pass...

Jeremy

[starleen2]

Here's another way to look at it

Globe (reproduction) $10.00 - 20.00 depending on model
Generator - $12.00 - 25.00 depending on model
Chipped ventilator 25.00-45.00 depending on model
. . . and this does NOT include shipping


So as you see a $20.00 lantern with a busted globe and bad generator could cost ya' an 30 bucks - not counting cleaning and mantles - and new cap and seals. Unless you have a lot of spare parts, sometimes it a good thing to pass up a "pricey" lantern unless it looks and works perfectly. I f you are looking for colemans - you'll start seeing them everywhere. No telling how many 200A I've passed up - don't need any more spare parts!

[doug hodder]

There are a number of fakes or clones out there also. The gold bonds are a favorite as well as the Christmas 200 lantern. Someone sticks a green tank under a red vent and calls it one. An original in good shape can be a pricey lantern...a doctored one a parts lantern. You need to learn dates on some of this stuff to tell if it's a real one or a fake. Pre 1949 the dates were stamped differently on the bottoms so an education on that is helpful too. Check the Coleman site for lots of good info.

It's also quite common for people to swap parts around between lanterns, nicknamed "Frankenlanterns" and some ability to identify the correct vent for the lantern age, frame rest etc...can be real helpful. If you are in it just to have some fun and don't care about all the "correct" stuff...have at it...That's where I started. I've found that just by asking people if they have any old Coleman stuff they don't want...you can get a bunch for nothing. Doug