Zenith Porthole Pricing - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Ampico-kid · #1 03-10-2007, 11:51 PM

Hello All;
New guy here to this forum. Happy to be a member and anxious to trade "war stories" with all of you.

Just beginning to collect some early black and white TV's (I have a few Predicta's, a couple of early 50's Admirals, a late 40's Andrea, a mid 50's RCA, and a late 50's Zenith) and have a question for you regarding the pricing of the Zenith Porthole sets.

I've seen several of them and I understand the overall condition will affect price, but I'd like to get a general idea of what these sets typically go for on the open market. I've attached a couple of examples that I'm currently considering. Althouth I'd rather have just the TV console, the fact that both of these Zenith units are combo's with an AM/FM radio and a phonograph is also OK with me. I guess the single most important factor to consider is the condition of the crt. I believe both of these sets use a 16" tube, and both are confirmed functional. How functional would be determined by me before the sale was completed. One set is missing the speaker, but since they are PM type speakers in these sets, I don't think that's a big issue. Obviously the owners want to get as much as possible for these sets, but sometimes they are pretty unrealistic about what the value should be. What are your opinions?

Not to throw a monkey wrentch into this thread, but I also saw a Raytheon port hole console for sale (see picture). The condition of the cabinet is not quite as good and it's overall in much rougher shape than the Zeniths, but I'd imagine the Raytheon is a more rare unit and therefore maybe more desireable?

So what do you all think?

Thanks for your input and advice.
Bob.

Einar72 · #2 03-11-2007, 03:03 AM

Hi Bob,

I'm fairly new to this forum myself, but let me say this: grab that Raytheon! I've never seen that model, maybe because in the Pacific Northwest we had such slim pickings. Most '40's TV's came here in covered wagons by westward-bound Boeing hires.

I have owned a Zenith combo identical to the first one, and also a 19" Zenith porthole console that I sold fully recapped to a museum, but having let both get away I never looked back. My opinion on pricing is this: if you like it, buy it. The 16" Zenith combos are somewhat common, even here in Seattle, so $200-300 for a nice one isn't unreasonable. Bet both pictured have the Phonevision socket. But that Raytheon has a look that somehow captures my imagination with it's 40's mystique. Probably well-engineered,too.

Saratoga48 · #3 03-11-2007, 08:03 AM

Mine has been sitting here for 5 yrs still havent gotten to it.

Charlie · #4 03-11-2007, 06:26 PM

I have a Raytheon like that one here...

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=89454

I have not started re-capping it yet (I'm trying to finish other projects), but it looks like it will be an easy one to work on.

Hope you get it... it's certainly unique... even sitting next to a Zenith.

Ampico-kid · #5 03-11-2007, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the input/opinions. I'll look into the Raytheon set this week and think about the Zenith's for a while since they seem to be readily available.

Bob.

kx250rider · #6 03-12-2007, 12:28 PM

The Raytheon is definitely WAY more rare than the Zeniths.

Zenith values? I can't say due to the nature of the market. It seems to be very unpredictable, and depends on supply & demand on eBay. I'd probably pay, IF I were in the market, as follows: The highest would be the early Zenith 10" "Mayflower" table model, maybe $300 or more depending on condition. The larger screen consoles (TV-only) $125-?... And the big combos probably $100. Those don't sell on eBay very well since shipping is a killer.

The Raytheon: Anybody's guess! I'd probably think I got a good deal if I paid $100 in the shape you describe. But I wouldn't be surprised if eBay brought a few times that.

Charles

Ampico-kid · #7 03-13-2007, 09:27 AM

Hi Charles;
I'm afraid I didn't move fast enough to grab the Raytheon, someone beat me to it. When I'd called shortly after reading your post, it had been sold to someone in the midwest. Too bad, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Still thinking about those Zeniths though. Thanks for the input.
Bob.

Dave S · #8 03-13-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ampico-kid

Hello All;
New guy here to this forum. Happy to be a member and anxious to trade "war stories" with all of you.

Hi Bob,

Glad to see that you're finally getting a little traction in your collecting! Now come on down to a club meeting!!!

--Dave Sica

bgadow · #9 03-13-2007, 11:54 AM

I am a bargain hunter when it comes to collecting. I do have a 10" Mayflower which I bought in 1991 for $85-100. I probably wouldn't shell out that much today. But a nice one, if it is worth it to you, grab it! The picture tube is the only scary thing, and if that is okay there is nothing else really stopping the set from being brought back to life. These Zeniths are overbuilt compared to later models (or their contemporary competition). That Andrea you have is probably similiar in its difficulty to repair. I know the Andrea I have has more electrolytic capacitors than any other tube tv I've seen!

Sandy G · #10 03-13-2007, 01:07 PM

Hmmmmpf ! I tried to big-deal a guy into a trade of my STAINLESS Colt Python for a 10" Zenith table model roundscreen that was in unknown working condition, but he wouldn't...That gun was only worth about 8-10X as much as the TV...