Quote:
Originally Posted by Countryford
I'm with you on that boat. If I had more room, I would have a bunch more TV sets. I have enough as it is (7 1950's consoles, 8 1960's consoles and one 1980's console at the house). I have more out in storage. I've had to let some go or pass on some.
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It's really hard to do! I think it is some sort of clinical O.C.D. or something as it's really hoarding. What makes it harder is the very limited interest in the "antique and/or collectable" world in anything electronic. It's almost like it's taboo or something unless it's a few key radios, or styles of radio; then the ever popular, but electronically worthless (by design) Philco Predicta. Some here won't want to hear the Philco statement, so sorry about that.
Anyway, this limited interest makes it hard to find homes for sets we come across, but don't wish to or for space can't keep. Scrapping a piece of history that will never be duplicated always is a heart breaker, but I have to do it from time to time because I can't give a set away and many Goodwill stores are getting where they won't take television sets because of the recent bombardment of Chinese plastic and glass that the country is crapping out of their living rooms so they can keep up with the "Flat" trend.
Then I always consider that if I take a set to a Goodwill and it doesn't sell, then it goes to the compactor, so I should have parted it after all. The last set I donated was a 56 Magnavox 21" floor model with the vertical chassis and controls hidden under a sliding door on top. Near mint condition with only some arching going on around the flyback that I had to replace. I just couldn't part it, BUT I can't see losing the value of the tubes, so I yanked those. I felt that the move might seal it's fate as a potential buyer may turn away fearing (like most folks) that tubes can't be bought anymore. I went back a week later and they told me that someone came and got the set the same day I dropped it off. Probably one of these "period" home decorators or "repurposers" or maybe another nut like me with boxes of tubes!
Then sometime lately I see threads where people are all excited over treasure finds that are one being similar to the Magnavox, and another that is a 58 21" Space Command. I pushed and pushed to find someone to pick up a 24" Space Command with new caps and drew almost zero interest. I'm not complaining about people here or anything, because it's all really a geographical roll of the dice as far as what people turn up with. It just happens to be near where they live. Along with location, size, weight and the fragile nature of a vintage set hinder trade or sale potential, so if that special person isn't in your area, or coming through it for some other reason, then you are stuck with the decisions that I have mentioned here.
Really, the only sane way to approach this hobby based on living in an average home and having an average income would be to first try to find table models primarily and then to concentrate restoration and/or maintenance and use to maybe two or three sets that are interesting enough and in good enough shape to warrant their care and your risk of divorce if married. Geez!
