TV Collector's Estate

[StellarTV]

I just recently learned that a local Sacramento TV collector, Ernest Vann, has passed away. I met him when he picked up a Spartan mirror-in-lid set which he purchased on ebay that I was selling for somebody else.

I delivered the set to his house. He was infirm at this time, barely mobile, and only communicated via email. The entire 3 bedroom house was full floor to ceiling with 1940s and 1950s black and white TV sets; multiples of many such as GE locomotives and Pilot TV37s. There was barely room to walk in the entire house, with the living room only having enough room for a couch and a tiny walkway to it.

He commissioned me to restore a few TV sets; namely a 12" Zenith Porthole Tabletop and a blonde Stromberg Carlson TV12 (with a dumont chassis) saying "I want a few TV sets actually operating before I die."

Last I spoke to him he wanted me to come over and pick up another couple of TVs. Emails have gone unanswered and finally started bouncing. Looked up the obituary, looks like he died in November.

http://obituaries.advocate-news.com/...&pid=169113821

It alludes vaguely to a 'large collection' which the heirs intend to donate to an educational institution. Which one I wonder??

Just wanted to share this. I know there is a lot of good quality stuff in his collection and the family may not know what it all may be worth.

RIP Ernest Vann.