I have a Delben Die Box that has the numbers 18 on the major pieces and the numbers 12 and 76 on the bottom. I am trying to find the value of this die box. I got it from Pete Klienpeter who was a big magician in Louisiana and he said it was probably worth between $750.00 and $1,000.00 This was about ten years ago. I was trying to find a value or a link on the Internet that I could post this question.

It is in mint shape.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tim

This is an old thread, and you probably know its value; but I have some input on this topic. I follow Delben products faithfully because Ben Stone, up to the time of his death, was a very dear friend of mine since I was 9 years old. (I am 34 now.) He taught me so much about magic, originality and inventing. Ben was a great man and mentor. He will always be near my heart.

Lately the Delben Die Box has been selling for around $400.00. The numbers that are stamped were used to keep the cut pieces of wood matched together so the grains would match. As most builders, he would cut many, many pieces for a run and this was his method for keeping everything organized. The numbers he stamped do not reflect the order of production. He told me this on several occasions.

My most cherished, yet humble, Delben piece was given to me a few years before Ben's death. Ben was proud to tell me it was the rarest of all Delben items. It doesn't have a name. If anyone is up for a challenge, I can post a picture of it and you guys can guess it's use.

Post the picture..
Rennie

Hagerman is right. Those numbers that you see are simply to identify the parts, not the number of the item. There are only a few DelBen items that are numbered. You can also find the same sort of ID number stamps on the lids of the holes of the DelBen Wrist Chopper. And it took me a few minutes to remember what Hagerman's mystery item was ... I had forgotten about this stupidly simple little gimmick.

I also own a delben with the number 11 on it. I was told the same thing at the time of purchase that it was a low numbered in a limited run....still a great collectable piece. brian