Rare Mechanical TV

[Joe Connor]

There used to be hoarder in northern New Jersey in the 1970s. He had started as a junk collectors in the '20s and had accumulated an unbelievable stock of old stuff. He was in an affluent area so a lot his stuff was high-end. He stored the stuff in old chicken coops and other out buildings. When I started collecting radios, I used to drool over some of his high-end sets from the '20s.

He ran an antique business, but he was impossible to deal with. He asked such incredibly high prices that none of his stuff sold. His prices were so high that you got the feeling that he really didn't want to sell anything. Year after year, you could go there and see the same stuff. To top it off, he was a crotchety old SOB.

A few years before he died, there was a fire at his place and he lost almost everything. Ironic, isn't it?

[vts1134]

The fellow who owns this television knows what it is. He knows it's an important piece of history, and it's been in his family since new. I don't think it's fair to say someone doesn't appreciate an item just because it's not restored. I think we all appreciate items in different ways.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by vts1134

The fellow who owns this television knows what it is. He knows it's an important piece of history, and it's been in his family since new. I don't think it's fair to say someone doesn't appreciate an item just because it's not restored. I think we all appreciate items in different ways.

I don't mean to label the owner. I just mentioned it as a possibility from past experiences. Seems others have seen this situation before too. One thing for sure is that time will continue to reek havoc on the set and cause continued deterioration. It should be properly restored and put in place of honor in the mans home if not in a museum. You must admit the set looks like a somewhat neglected catch-all table for being such a treasured family heirloom.