VOLUME 24               NOVEMBER 2007                NUMBER  11

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for November 2007
(Copyright 1996-2007 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

"It was a privilege to be there." So says our intrepid reporter Ray Chase about the Estes auction of April 2007, and it's not hard to see why. First, it totalled over $300,000, a sum not wholly dependent on Art Deco items. Yes, the Sparton Nocturne, King Skycraper, and mirrored radios were all represented, but so were more traditional high-end sets, two of which sold for $55,000 each. Second, the broad assortment of Catalins, plastics, AC, and battery sets, led me to conclude that just about everyone there must have had a sense of "privilege."

Perhaps this auction will also be a lasting memory for some attendees, just as the 1982 Orr auction has been for several people I have spoken with since my article appeared in the July 2007 issue. Jim Sargent and Robert Lozier both have written about their vivid memories of that auction, and Bob has added an article about a home brew purchased there. One is tempted to quip, "Old auctions never die."

Luckily for us, Richard Arnold never says die when tracking down a radio or a company. In this case, he has come up with something new about Pooley, the name we associate with fine radio cabinets. Through a descendant of the Pooley family, Richard was able to borrow a brochure that touts Pooley radios, not just cabinets -- another link in the chain of radio history.

The latest Slusser Collector's Guide to Antique Radios, Seventh Edition, contributes mightily to that history by keeping us apprised of the ever-changing market. Jim Moneghan's review is definitely positive, and no doubt most of us will join him in "using it until the cover comes off."

A bit of childhood history by Walter Lindenbach about acquiring a Heathkit Type OM-1 oscilloscope is a memory to which many of us can happily relate. Walter conveys his frustration when he built a coveted oscilloscope from a kit and found it didn't work. But then came the triumph of fixing the problem! And so, an inquisitive boy became an equally inquisitive engineer.

But, William Gourd's unhappy story of being scammed via the Internet is one that he hopes will never happen to anyone else. Hats off to William for being willing to share his "confession" in order to save others from a similar fate. Though we often print a scam warning on our "Editor's Page," William's very personal story may have a more meaningful effect.

Similar scams are so prevalent that a television commercial points to a website, fakechecks.org, which issues warnings about fraud involving checks.

A.R.C. Benefits. Be sure to take advantage of A.R.C. benefits: a toll-free number (866) 371-0512; Discover, MasterCard, American Express, Visa accepted; the Web, www.antiqueradio.com; books shipped free in the U. S. by USPS media mail; and for current subscribers, a 10 percent discount on all book orders.

Coming Radio Events. Though holidays loom, the radio community stays engaged. Listed this month are 8 meets, 26 meetings, and 6 auctions.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

---

ON THE COVER

The handsome, red King Model 52 "Skycraper" on our cover was photographed by Ray Chase for his report in this issue on the April Estes Auction. The set sold for $15,000 and was one of several high-end items in this auction.