The history of public transportation in the City of New York has been documented in many books, government reports and newspaper articles but very little has been published about the many fiscal issues – tickets and transfers – sold or issued to passengers. Many of know about the original 5 cent fare and then the 7 / 10 / 12 cent fares of 1948, and then the fifteen-cent tokens. But unless one delved into collectibles, does one remember today the numerous issues of tickets and transfers used in the past 175 years?

   This website is informally dedicated to the efforts of the late Joseph D. Korman. In his groundbreaking website "The JoeKorNer", he had addressed the most basic of NYC transit ephemera. Unfortunately, following his passing, his website went untouched and finally removed from the web as of November 2021. 

   This website is offered as a collaboration between George Cuhaj and Philip Goldstein. We know it is not complete but consider it a starting point for documenting fiscal issues of the land transportation services offered in NYC. It is a companion website to Goldstein’s other "New York centric" transportation related websites.

   It is emphasized that this catalog will never be truly "finished" or "complete". There will always be one more thing we haven't seen. But our goal is to visually document at least one piece of every issue of transit ephemera for at least the period of operations after the first unification in 1940. To attempt this endeavor for the independent companies prior to this is near impossible.

   So, check back frequently. If you wish to offer an item for inclusion, you are invited to email us using the contact information at the end of this introduction. Page revision dates are listed to the right of the page link in the index above. It is our intention, to have this catalog become a usable reference and price guide for the active collector (more about this in another chapter below.)

   In using this catalog, the following should kept in mind: 

• Tickets, passes and other paper items transfers (ephemera), the dimensions are in inches.
• Tokens issues (exonumia) are listed in millimeters. 
  
• Most items are shown actual size: 1:1 (100%) on 16:9 wide screen monitor with monitor window at 100%. However certain large size items are reduced slightly for formatting and space conservation. 
• Tokens, are shown at 2:1 (200%) for detail. 

    While in most cases, the backs of tickets are shown for reference if so printed; therefore if the back of paper ephemera is not shown, it was most likely unprinted, presently hinged in an album, or damaged in those cases of those items that were removed from their mountings..  

    In developing this website catalog, there three different eras of use regarding transit operations in the City of New York:

pre-First Unification	Private Companies	1830's through 1940
First Unification	Board of Transportation - The New York City Transit System	1940 through 1953
Second Unification	New York City Transit Authority	1953 to the present

   NOTE: This website currently stops at the point in time in which the MetroCard system replaced most of these printed fiscal issues.

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Further contributions are Welcome!

    If you have a ticket, token, transfer or pass; or any other fiscal item that you do not see on any of the pages in this website, you are cordially invited to share them here.

    Your submission(s) will be watermarked with your name and your name listed in the special thank chapter below. 

   Also, where an important gap in information is lacking and especially needed, this special icon with email link: is displayed in that chapter to visually alert the reader to contribute confirmed information if known.

   Please feel free to contact me regarding errors, broken links, missing images, corrections, or for any other reason at:  

brghtnbchexp@aol.com

 

    

   Pricing for items listed in this catalog are based on prices paid for examples acquired for our collections (adjusted for inflation where necessary); as well as:

• prices realized (not listing / asking prices) on eBay via completed / sold listings search, 
• Worthpoint,
  and 
• personal records compiled from prices realized from conventional numismatic auction listings and over the past few decades.

    

   A sale price is determined by three factors: Condition, demand and rarity. If one of those three legs is missing from the milking stool, things do not sit well.

   Rarity takes into account not only the number made, but the number of similar items that have survived.

   Demand exists when fifteen people are in search of seven items; eight people will be disappointed. They will then perhaps be eager to pay higher at the next auction appearance, or drop out of the collecting pool altogether and move on to something else.

   Condition comes into effect when numerous like items are available thus discretion can be made to how well preserved it is. On a truly rare item, condition has a lot less consideration.

   Many items in this catalog are known in less than five specimens, especially the omnibus tokens and stage tickets. However, when only two or three people are interested in them and there are ten; well then, there is no demand. If a particular item is nice and "sexy" and twenty exist but forty people want it, then the demand is disproportionate to the availability, and the price rises until the demand fades. 

   When an old time collection or horde becomes available, many items come to the market at once; which have formerly been unavailable and thus create interest and buying opportunities. But when plentiful, the price should go DOWN.

   To bring this into focus: 

• A five-cent elevated ticket made in huge quantities for one time use is generally uncommon as they were bought and used within twenty feet. Unless the buyer bought a strip of five, used four and one ended up in a scrapbook. 
• A similar ticket from a small bus line had much smaller print runs and thus reduced availability to a collector, thus it is probably valued more. 
• A block ticket for an emergency stoppage on the subway is rarer than a general station to station or subway to bus continuing ride transfer of the same format. 
• A transfer from low traffic or seasonal shuttle bus would be more difficult to acquire than one that ran all year round.

   But not all items from a specific railroad may be rare. Rarity is based on whether or not the issues were for general or special fares, every day circulation or a special occasion.

   Other factors considered, are the longevity and scope of the operation; for example: 

• a ticket from a one or two route transportation company in the 1920's will be significantly rarer than that of tickets from a large subway operator in 1904. 

   In regard to items listed on this website, the following terms are used and their explanation:

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common:	many examples are known; by variety, date and quantity; pretty much seen full time for sale individually on eBay, Etsy, Mercari, and on dealer / private sales lists.
uncommon:	examples not frequently seen, but can appear for sale several times a year on eBay, Etsy, Mercari, et al.  however: tokens in this category may be found on private sales lists of token specialists & dealers.
scarce / rare:	very infrequently seen, purchasing opportunities extremely limited to perhaps once or twice a year; some competition to be expected.
extremely rare:	minimal examples known, years before an example appears for sale; much demand; intense competition to be expected.

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   With rarity now being explained, we are witness to a disturbing trend in regards to the New York City transit collectibles market in particular:

Overly inflated and unrealistic pricing.

   To be absolutely clear, I am not talking about truly rare and old items that are hardly or never seen. I am referring to the most common of transit ephemera:

Continuing Ride tickets, Streetcar Line and Bus Route transfers, Sunday Half Fare Tickets

   In other words, common items. Common items that were printed in many varieties and quantities in the millions. These following items as well as others and their varieties; were very widely circulated and used daily: 

   These tickets and transfers, were bulk printed for daily use. In booklets of 25 or 50 tickets depending on the purpose. At the end of the day, unused tickets and transfers, went into recycling bins by the bushel load. Transit buffs and employees foreseeing a future collectability, saved or recovered them. These items used to sell regularly for 25 to 50 cents a piece back in the early 2000's on eBay. Entire books of transfers could be had for a paltry few dollars. 

   Over the last decade, I am now seeing multiple sellers offering many varieties of these tickets and transfers; some are even listed in group lots for prices way, way out of touch for their actual value. 

   We now bear witness to single transfers attempting to be sold at $10, $11 dollars or MORE. For a single paper transfer! And when you see consecutive serial numbers in multiple lots, you know the seller is disassembling a booklet. And whole books? Whole books of 25 or 50 transfers are now being listed for $50, $60, even $99... 

   Even accounting for inflation, what was 50¢ in 2000 should currently be selling for 78¢ in 2021 - adjusted for cumulative rate of inflation (56.3%). Individual tickets and transfers that sold for 50¢ each, therefore a booklet of twenty-five could be bought for $6.25. 

   Postage was 34¢ in 2000, and is now at the time of publishing this website is 55¢. eBay insertion fees, while they have risen, have not risen to account for this drastic increase. Insertion fees are currently between 30¢ and 05¢ based on whether its a beginner or an anchor listing, and whether it is an auction style listing or fixed price. If one decides to sell through an electronic store front on eBay, the yearly "rent" is between $7.95 year and $299.00 per year, billed monthly. 

  And so, a 50¢ cent transfer adjusted for inflation, should now be 78¢. Postage is 55¢. Speaking of which is another matter entirely - I do not need expedited shipping / priority mail and tracking on a $1.00 item in plentiful supply. If it gets lost? I buy another and not hold the seller responsible; and the eBay insertion fee is 30¢.

   Let us even assume the seller has purchased a basic e-store and its cost is part of the overhead. That's another 67¢ per month. That still only comes to $2.30 for a simple individual transfer. Even tacking on a 30% mark up for the 7 cent envelope, the 2 cents of printer ink; still brings the ultimate total to only $2.99.

   Oh and before someone thinks about the "supposed" time and expense in going to the post office - another nice try, but I know the USPS picks up outgoing shipments from the seller as part of the integrated labeling, postage and shipping package offered by eBay:

Schedule a Package Pickup:
Prepare your package, complete with postage, then request a pickup online. Your carrier will pick it up at no charge.

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   Bottom line? Regardless of the format being sold under, these common items should still be for sale around $2.00 to $3.00 each.  Not $6.99. Not $9.99, Not $19.99 or $24.99, or higher.

   If anything, these issues are more prolific now than they were as more people found eBay and are selling their items. There are more choices of dates and routes on the tickets and transfers than ever before.

   Some of these sellers do not even hide the fact they have dozens if not hundreds of books; as I have seen in stated in their description  "I have totes full of these transfers in the attic for years". Some images with auctions show a table or box full of transfer books. 

   These booklets are unissued remainders. Extras, that were not issued or used. Leftovers.

   Please understand even further; I am not discussing transfers issued on historical or notable dates (transit related or otherwise), such as the Last Day of Operation of the Third Avenue or Myrtle Avenue Elevated, President Kennedy's assassination, or other significant dates. I am referring to just plain and simple uneventful and unhistorical dates.  

   But for something as mundane, plentiful and mass produced as NYCTA continued ride tickets and transfers? Remember supply and demand? Well there is plenty of supply, and little demand. Obviously, because there plenty of them for sale! 

   This overinflated pricing is utter madness. I as a collector, am by no means afraid to spend my money on something rare and unique or in high demand to add to my collection. But to pay $5.00 or more for 75 cent item? $50.00 for a book of transfers worth $18.75? I may have been born at night, but not last night.

   And if I have to spend 60 minutes haggling repeatedly with a seller to get their items down from an inflated price, as opposed to one with a reasonable price; who do you think I am going to patronize?

In General

   This overpricing issue is in no way restricted to the NYC transit ephemera market and is prevalent in quite a few of collectible areas. Railroad lanterns is another problematic area: very common New York Central Railroad lanterns are listed for hundreds of dollars. Book value? $40 - $45..  But one rare railroad lantern for a small 1800's short line sells for a couple of hundred or a thousand dollars, and everyone who is selling a railroad lantern thinks their is worth that too. 

   Fortunately for that collecting venue, there are published catalog and references with price guides, as well as a very reputable Facebook Group. Same go for other collecting interests. In most cases, once a seller is provided with a screenshot or scan of the particular lantern in the catalog with associated price, their price usually gets adjusted accordingly. And more than one buyer has expressed their frustration after a purchase and upon sharing the item in the group, and then comes to be told they significantly overpaid for that lantern.

   As a responsible seller or buyer, you really need to check the completed and sold auction pricing section.

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*RARE* *RARE* *RARE*!!!
(Not, not, not)

   Another ongoing issue is the overuse of the word "RARE!". "Rare" in terms of collectability means something that is not seen often and of extremely limited availability. Not something that is offered for sale on a regular basis and in multitudes. Rare means several or many collectors all vying to purchase the same item, because there is only one or maybe two available irregularly. Not a seller listing five or six, or ten or twenty of them with the word "RARE" in your title, over and over again with each lot. 

   Sometimes I think the only thing rare in these auctions and buy-it-now offerings; is the sellers common sense, their morality and the steak they wish they were eating. Calling something rare when it is not, is highly misleading and adversely affects the pricing structure of the market as a whole.

   Most of us watch or have watched; the plethora of reality TV shows that are broadcast featuring pickers and pawnshops. The running joke is the low ball offers made by prospective buyers, and in sharp contrast; the overzealous and overestimated values of the owner. eBay is no different, only in this case, we have done the math from empirical sales evidence and history; and based the price guide on realistic values.

   See, the object in a marketplace is to sell and make money - not list your extras for dubious, overinflated prices in an attempt to "place a value your collection". 

   This speculation of the New York transit ephemera collectibles must stop. It is a matter of respect to the hobby as a whole, not to mention being an honorable way to conduct business. 

   Now perhaps I am naïve; but in my economics class in school (which I passed), if someone is in the business of selling things, and something or a lot of things goes unsold for long period of time, you lower your prices. Not raise them to make people think that little common piece of paper is worth a lot more than it really is. 

   And it certainly should not be the collector's burden to pay more, because you as the seller overestimated the items worth or collectability, and overpaid for them in the first place.

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Questionable Business Practices

It should be noted that for this chapter, these are the observations and experiences of one author (PMG) and only that author bears the responsibility of the following.

   There is one person in particular on eBay in the field of New York collectibles, including the transit area; that is the worst of the worst. 

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First and foremost:

   This person is selling under two different names, of which I have personally and undeniably confirmed that the second of the sellers is working in direct partnership for the first person, supposedly "on consignment" - selling the same items as the first (serial / ticket numbers match), but for a few dollars less. But they are working the same stock of items owned by the first party.

   This first person; not only has a grossly overestimated value of the items being sold; but is clearly intending to (and has) distort the market with these prices. So much so, other regular sellers have raised there prices - on the same exact items. And these too, go unsold. I know what so of you may be thinking - if they don't sell, what is the harm? 

   The harm is, and remains; other people come on eBay to sell their items, and look at asking prices and price theirs accordingly. Unfortunately, very few sellers (especially new sellers); take the time to research the completed and sold auction listings for actual prices realized (sold). 

   This is where checking those options in eBay advanced search comes in very handy; as does a Worthpoint subscription. Then, there is always the option of seeking out the advice of other collectors, which can be done with ease with the prevalence of collector forums, and now with Facebook groups. 

   Again, and I cannot emphasize this strongly enough: I am not talking about the truly rare items. I as a collector, understand and can live with that. If an item sells with multiple bidders, then there is demand and there in an under bidder to show there is interest in that item at the closing price. 

   Almost all items listed have a "best offer" option, but when you make a reasonable offer - it is almost always immediately rejected. A few days later, this seller on occasion makes a "50% off" counter offer.

   Wait a second. If someone is listing an item at $60 (that is normally valued at say $10), rejects your offer of $15; and then counteroffers it to you for $30? It is still drastically overpriced! And still $20 over value! And you are still being overcharged!

   Silly me - and here this person is thinking they are giving you a great deal!

Second:

   This person has multiples, even dozens of common New York area transit and other venues (amusement park, arcade, etc) ephemera and tickets of various kinds; all listed for exorbitant prices, all listed at the same time - all have titles with the word "RARE", and yet so obvious that by the quantity offered and variety of offerings that they are not rare! All one has to do, is go through this persons eBay store. 

   In the past, I have seen the same item listed for sale under both user ID's, same color, same serial number; with the one being slighter lower in price on the "consignee" listing than on the primary listing. While I could attribute to one listing being a mistake, there were several. It appears to no longer be the case, but it did occur.

   This is a very dubious attempt to help "direct" some customers to the second sellers eBay listings, in their quest for a "better price".

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Third:

   This person obstinately mis-attributes a great deal of the items listed to something they are not. On more than one occasion correct information was forwarded to this person in good faith by several buyers, and yet the corrections or revisions refused.

   From the standpoint of historical accuracy, this leads the novice collector or seller into thinking they have something they do not.

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Fourth:

   If this was not enough of an insult to our intelligence, this gonif cannot even post a picture of the items with a decent accurate ruler - it is sloppily hand drawn on piece of printer paper. Seriously? For amount of the price being overcharged, this person could certainly spring for a 99 cent ruler on eBay! 

   If this was just a case of overpricing, I would have probably just keep my observations to myself and my mouth shut. But all these issues is foretelling of something much more dire. This person in so many ways has become a pox in this area of collecting.

   Unfortunately, some people feel they have no choice but to purchase from this person because this person holds most of the high cards, of which obviously are marked. Well, this casino is bringing in a new deck - with this website, catalog and price guide. 

   Some people write price guides to bolster the worth of their collection. This price guide is being writing to stabilize this particular field of the hobby of collecting, and doing so honestly, even if it may appear I am on a crusade or outspoken. 

   

In conclusion - for now

   I can only hope these sellers (and this one unscrupulous seller in particular) finds this chapter, read this and reflect upon this. The jig is up.

   And so, in regard to the prices listed herein on this website, these are based on actual availability and desirability and not pulled out of one's derrière. If these prices should happen to undercut the sellers listing price and cause them consternation; as it should - in my ultimate hope and to stabilize the market - so be it. 

   What is a collector to do? Refuse to pay these prices is what. Send the seller a reasonable offer, and if and when they come back with a respectable counter offer, good. If not, do not be afraid to tell them how unreasonable their estimation of value is. Feel free to cite this guide. And on common stuff; it will come up for sale again. I used to be respectful and shy about doing this. No more.  

   We, as collectors who spend our hard earned money; and who make every attempt to stretch the budget we allot for our collectibles purchases must REFUSE to allow these greedy sellers to line their pockets, trying to make a twenty dollar bill on a 50 cent piece of paper. It is not even a case of buyer beware / caveat emptor. I can't help but think these sellers are trying to pay their yearly eBay sales and listing fees in one sale. This "reverse thinking" has to cease. It certainly cannot be supported willingly by buyers.

    An educated consumer is their worst customer.

   Philip M. Goldstein

   Several years ago, I (PMG) created a group on Facebook for the collectors of New York City Transit Exonumia and Ephemera. After about a year, it had not received the kind of attention I had envisioned, and so I archived it.

   With the publication of this website however, I now foresee increased interest the area: those that will be seeking knowledgeable assistance for pricing of objects in the area, as well as offering those collectors  a specific area to have discourse on the subject; and provide an opportunity to buy, sell and trade as an alternative to eBay (and their fees). 

   So I thought it would be an opportune time to un-archive the group. 

   You may access the group here:

Collectors of NYC Transportation Exonumia & Ephemera - Facebook Group

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This website is fondly dedicated in the memories of

Joseph D. Korman 30 year veteran (retired) of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Bus Division Benjamin W. Schaeffer 23 year veteran Conductor of the New York City Transit Authority, with several commendations for exemplary & heroic service.  RTO Conductor Vice Chair for the Transit Workers Union Local 100. NY area transit & railroad historian; aficionado, collector and good friend.  passed away - 21 November 2018 Taken too soon by CoVid-19 - 28 April 2020

Special Thanks

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   Whether it be a large assortment of items or only one, we are greatly appreciative of the submissions of the following people to help make this website what it is;

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Mark Wolodarsky

John Isaksen

Steve Hayden Civil War Tokens

Ken Whorton
(texkengold on eBay)

and much appreciation goes to Steve Grande for the unlimited amount of digital space for, and the hosting of; this website on Trainweb.com!

All content, graphics, and text - 

© 2021 - Philip M. Goldstein

About your Authors

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Page 1: Fare Tickets & Employee Passes	Page 7: Half Fare Tickets - Sundays / Weekends
Page 2: Tokens	Page 8: Half Fare Tickets - Senior Citizens & Handicapped
Page 3: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Rapid Transit	Page 9: School / Student / Pupil Reduced Fare & Free Passes
Page 4: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Surface; Streetcar Lines	Page 10: Special Issue Tickets
Page 5: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Surface; Bus Routes	Page 11: Staten Island Rapid Transit
Page 6: Continuing Ride Tickets; Surface; Add-A-Ride	Page 12: Hudson and Manhattan & Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)

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	© 2021 - Brighton Beach Express
	Philip M. Goldstein / George S. Cuhaj
	For reuse, additions or corrections,  please contact: brghtnbchexp@aol.com

All content, graphics, and text in part or in whole, unless otherwise noted

This website and its authors are not affiliated, employed nor represent the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit Authority, The Transit Museum, the City of New York, the State of New York or any other municipal governmental agency; or any private company contracted by the previous agencies; and no such affiliation is implied or suggested.
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