Sheffeild Auction - scores of radios.

[Yorkie]

Elsewhere Joe mentioned a link to a Sheffield Auction in which there is several lots of radios, mainly Roberts transistor sets (so many it looks like the seller had tried to corner the market!), a few Hackers, and so forth. The only set which particularly interested me, (for sentimental reasons) is a 'Decca Debutante' which is in a lot with several other sets of no particular interest. (About 70 or so sets in total).

I won't steal Joe's thunder now he on the forum - maybe he could post the link?

Now that local auctions list their lots on internet and accept live bids on internet as well as 'commission bids', to my mind it's preferable to e-bay.

I recently sold two sets at a local auction - a pre-war Ferranti push button set, working but unrestored, and a post-war Grundig with no valves. Both large sets which I was never going to get round to restoring. The pair were sold separately and made £90 total less commission, but then selling on e-bay incurs charges. None of the hassle of e-bay with local auctions - no packing, no come-backs from buyers saying 'not as described', no risk of damage in transit..

It will be interesting to see what the Sheffield Auction lots fetch. With so many, I wonder if - after a few lots - interest will wand and fewer bidders will bid, hence, lower prices perhaps?

[Joe]

OK, David.  To see the offerings go to this page and enter "Radio" in the search box: http://sheffieldauctiongallery.com/Catal...t_sag.html

[Yorkie]

Thanks Joe - yes, nineteen lots amounting to almost seventy radios. Sensible sized lots - two, three four.

The 'Decca Debutante' that I mentioned is in the last lot - '509' - seven sets in total. It looks in nice condition, as indeed do many of the radios in all of the lots.

Are you having a punt on any?

I wonder how the prices they ultimately fetch will compare with the estimates?

[Joe]

I certainly won't be bidding on any.

As for the estimates, it's anybody's guess as it's the old story of what they are worth on the day to the people who bid. I've known things estimated at tens of pounds go for thousands and others only get about a quarter of the estimate.

For what it's worth I think some of the valve set estimates are 'Hopeful.'

In the past radios haven't made much, unless they are early ones. I seem to remember an Ultra Tiger III which would have needed completely re-finishing, if not re-veneering, made over eighty pounds and I've no idea what the electronics were like.

If there's something I vaguely fancy I bid enough so I won't kick myself if it does go for a very low price but that's all.

- Joe

[Joe]

Results attached.

I can't say I found anything surprising, it should be borne in mind that twenty-one per cent commission and VAT need to be added to these prices.

The Hacker sets may seem cheap but there seems very little demand for the locally.

- Joe