Unwanted radios in local auctions

[Yorkie]

These set were real bargains - they're all AC sets, with good sized mains transformers and speakers, built up to a standard, not down to a price, and I think it would be a real shame to break them for spares, though I take the point about lack of space. They're all complete and original, with their knobs and dials intact, and with their backs. All unmollested, albeit unloved and neglected. They'd make excllent restoration projects and the Murphy in particular, if the cabinet is skillfully restored, with its quartered veneers, would look very nice. They all have shortwave, and the RGD has FM and a magic eye. These were expensive quality radios in their day - the Murphy A122 for example costing £22.00 + 33% Purchase Tax, a total of £29.25s.0d when released in Jan 1949, as compared to the utilitarian no-frills Bush DAC90A of Jan 1950, at £12.1.8d + PT, a total of £16.00. Accounting for inflation, this equates to £760 today for the Murphy, and £390 for the DAC90A, so the Murphy was almost double the price of a DAC90A - a lot more money, but for a lot more radio. It shows how fickle the market is - The DAC90A is a commonplace ex rental market radio, with several known shortcomings, made in what at the time was considered an inferior 'mass produced' material - Bakelite, in contrast to veneered wooden cabinets which were considered not just radios, but pieces of furniture. The Murphy is rarer, has shortwave, a larger speaker and much better sound reproduction, but is shunnned at an auction and by restorers, when a DAC90A at the auction would probably have found a ready buyer.

Such is life.