This box was empty when we found it, but it is marked 1102 and SPECIAL. Set 1102S was cataloged in 1912, but the labels on this box would indicated something much later as in 1918-1919.

The infamous 'Inside-Out' boxed sets which were probably from 1930 or later. These Sets were usually freight sets using locomotives such as the 3254 or 3260. Our best guess as to why these boxes were inside out is that they were sold as promotionals by Lionel and they didn't want the Ives name to appear on the outside of the box.

The box above is a wide gauge set box, turned inside out. This box contained an O gauge set with several accessory items.

Circa 1930 - Another 1928 box (Note "THE IVES CORP."). Originally stamped Outfit No. 425, Ives (Lionel) stamped a new number at the top (7885) and included one extra freight car. This set was found with a 3260 in orange, a 69 lumber in green, a 63 gravel car, a 64 LV box car and a 67 caboose in red with yellow lettering.

This set was marked "48-108" on the box. It came with a No. 66 / tender and 4 freight cars - all from 1930

This one is a mystery. We've found just this one box and it was empty. The lettering was wearing off but what is there reads "_______ Exchange Special Mechanical Train Set"

Stern Special? - you have to look closely but this box is marked Stern Special. According the a couple collectors this box contained a Universal Fast Freight set, although we haven't been able to verify it yet. The price sticker reads "Stern Brothers / New York".

This set was numbered 5010 and was sold in 1930. It contains the late orange 3254 with the die-cast frame.