The three TV items did not sell, conformed by the Bonhm's sale price list.

The biggies that did were the Charles Darwin "do not believe in the Bible" letter, the physical Nobel Prize medal, and the Enigma machine.

Update from the seller. Me. I did sell both sets today. I kept the Cathovisor for a later date. The sets at auction came close to my reserves but I could not change the bidding. After the auction I decided to take the last good bids and Bonham's came through late today.

I was there at the auction and early on noticed the low bids for many items and knew things were awry. It is a soft market right now as my 401k will tell you. I also went in to this as a test and I think I was right and I would rather get them home now and not deal with them a few years down the road. A bird in the hand... And I still have my Baird T-5 set for the future.

There is also the buyers 25% premium and shipping to add in. I know it is not my problem but I have sympathy for the buyer at these $ which puts the sale near $27k.

I do not know the bidder but there was an inquiry as to shipping so I hope they go home to the UK. Maybe Bonham's can tell me. Stay tuned.

And I sat next to the elderly Chinese woman and her granddaughter who bid on the Darwin letter. The auctioneer held out as long as possible...I was holding my breath...for the last $5k bid to win the auction at $160k.

The BBC mention is just icing on the cake. The shortwave is gone but the website lives on! I am happy with the day.

Dave,
If I saw a pair of fine sets at the curb, like that photo in first post, I would likely miss that curve in the road. Congratulations on your part in ultimately shepherding these beauties back to the UK:) It almost makes me want to pull out and recap my lowly RCA projection set.
DG