Burndept 4

[Sparks]

I came across this on a car boot sale some time ago.    I was undecided whether to buy it or not, but finally did.    On getting it home and opening it up, I was not particularly impressed with the circuit as it seemed to be mainly switches with the odd resistor and capacitor thrown in.    It had no valves either.     I made a half-hearted attempt to restore it, but lost interest, feeling that its performance would not really be up to much.   It lay around in the shed for ages, and when I casually mentioned it when visiting Christie's auction house in London, they suggested it was very valuable.     When I got home, I stuck four valves in it, packed it up and sent it to them.    It sold for £2,400!
Bob

[Mike Watterson]

Price radios fetch (or even intrinsic value) has nothing to do with how "good" they are technically, and only partially aesthetics. Not even rarity!

Round Ekco, Bush DAC90a, Pye M78, 1958 Grundig Concert boy ...

Bakelite and pre-1929 fetches a premium versus 1934 to 1959 "woodies".

Familiarity breeds contempt?

[Murphyv310]

I came across this on a car boot sale some time ago.    I was undecided whether to buy it or not, but finally did.    On getting it home and opening it up, I was not particularly impressed with the circuit as it seemed to be mainly switches with the odd resistor and capacitor thrown in.    It had no valves either.     I made a half-hearted attempt to restore it, but lost interest, feeling that its performance would not really be up to much.   It lay around in the shed for ages, and when I casually mentioned it when visiting Christie's auction house in London, they suggested it was very valuable.     When I got home, I stuck four valves in it, packed it up and sent it to them.    It sold for £2,400!
Bob

Brilliant Bob.
Bet you had a rather large smile on your face. So it's now time for us all to do some deep searching in our respective lofts

[Sparks]

Yes indeed, we were amazed.     On the same day, on the same stall, I got three boxed R Valves for £10.   Useless on emmission, but filaments OK.   I was going to keep them, but someone offered me £150 for all three, so I let them go after photographing them.     Also same stall, same day, he persuaded me to give him £10 for an SG Brown magnetic amplifier.     I didn't really want it, but it looked very smart.    Eventually, I put it one Ebay where it went for £75!     My 4th purchase from the same stall was an old Avo 8, that I gave him £10 for.     The movement was burned out, but I kept it for spares for my working one, and was more than happy with the deal.      I reckon I will eventually find a round Ecko if I am patient.   We already have a Bush DAC90A that I gave £10 for and still have.
Bob