The subject of marked and unmarked reproductions is a serious and emotional thorn to all who collect. That being said, without reproduction items how many "treasures" would still be available for the "masses"? There would be few if any collector cars older than the 1980 models. For any part manufactured after a model year has run, is a reproduction item. May use the same dies, but are reproduction items. It is the same with our hobby, like Dick said, decals are used. That decal is a reproduction item. As long as an item is marked as a reproduction it has a place in our hobby, my opinion. If this idea has no place, then only an extreme few will be able to enjoy our hobby. Museums and high dollar collectors will be the only ones to have money enough to own a true "original" item. If we draw a line against reproductions, then do we draw that same line against restorations? In both cases the "original" has been altered. The purist will always "balk" at anything not original. But how many of us really consider ourselves a "purist"? We enjoy a hobby that has gained momentum by leaps and bounds and prices reflect that. With these rising prices, more of the "shadow" people, those who prey on those that collect will emerge with reproduction items. As prices skyrocket, reproduction items will get better and better. It is the same with other forms of collecting whether it is cars, paintings or antique furniture. We must do what we have been doing, looking out for each other and reporting items as we find them. I get more knowledge when someone questions an original item and those with the knowledge tell us all how we can tell the differences. At times it it is easy to lose sight of what we are trying to do, enjoying our hobby the way we want to. Each of us is different and collect for a hundred( maybe more) different reasons. But whether a collector has one item or 100 warehouses full of items, we all are the same. A collector of "gas and oil items". Hopefully we won't lose sight of that in our discussions. I know I have, on more than one occasion. Just the ramblings of a middle aged man. LOL
