Estes Auctions -- Joseph Pentecost Collection
Burbank, Ohio -- November 20, 2004

Contributed by Richard Estes

Web Edition

On Saturday, November 20, 2004, Estes Auctions held its monthly radio auction which featured the large collection of the late Joseph Pentecost, W4GYE, of Nashville, Tennessee. The collection included a nice variety of sets from battery to World War II German and Japanese radio items, tubes, books and magazines, table, cathedral, and tombstone sets, speakers and phonographs. All in all, this was a large variety sale that attracted 135 bidders from eleven states and Canada.

The sale totalled just over $60,000, and everyone seemed pleased with their purchases. Tubes brought very good prices, and the tube offering contained many early tube types. Lots of wood and Bakelite radios crossed the auction block in the $30 to $50 range. Radios in very good condition continue to bring strong prices. We sold many parts and part sets as well, but they are not included in the listing below.

The weather was good for this time of year. Ohio weather can be nasty by the end of November, so all those driving long distances were pleased. As usual, it was a privilege to sell these items to our fellow radio collectors, the nicest group of people we've come to know.

e=excellent, vg=very good, g=good, f=fair, p=poor, unk=unknown condition, BB=brass based, TT=tipped tube, WE=Western Electric. All prices have been rounded down to the dollar. Some low cost items and items in poor condition or non-specific descriptions are omitted. See print version for complete auction listing.

(Estes Auctions, 7404 Ryan Rd., Medina, OH 44256; (888) 769-4992; estesauctions@aol.com)

Among the high-end items in the auction was this Atwater Kent Model 10-C breadboard. In good condition. It sold for $1,050.

A warning: Auction prices are not current values. Our selection of auction items is not necessarily complete. A listing such as this cannot adequately include the condition of cabinets, chassis, transformers, tubes, the operating status of the set, and the inclusion of incorrect, restored or replica components, etc. Auction prices are the result of the excitement of the auction process, the skill of the auctioneer and the specific interests of the participants. Nevertheless, auction prices serve as useful references and as another element in the value determining process. The possibility of error always exists, and if we are notified, corrections will be reported.

Battery sets and horns held their own in the auction's offerings.

As far as the eye can see cathedrals and tombstone radios lined up for the auction block.