VOLUME 13            NOVEMBER 1996                NUMBER 11

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- November 1996

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

"Antique Radio Classified" invites its readers to contribute letters and information for inclusion in "Radio Miscellanea" and elsewhere in the magazine. "In The Marketplace" is based on information submitted by the businesses themselves. All topics should be of general interest and sent to A.R.C., P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. All material submitted should be verified for accuracy and may be edited for publication, which is not guaranteed. See the masthead for more details.

On Elgin Meet & Auction Buybacks
Dear Editor:

I always find Elgin to be extremely useful for finding needed parts. In fact, I dedicated this year's trip totally to locating parts, and I was very successful. I was there Wednesday only.

In my hunt for tubes, I found a total of five N.O.S. 47s ranging in price from $7 to $10. Not bad! I found only one 2A5, but failed in my search for a used or N.O.S. 47 globe. As usual some prices were very reasonable and some outright ridiculous.

I saw a lot of radios with schlocky refinishing jobs -- that made me very sad. It looked to me as if a lot of people were trying to unload their "training" radios. Still, I'm not being entirely fair, since I have had good deals at Elgin and several with collectors at large.

All in all, it was a fun day.

--Paul A. Froehlich, Cross Plains, WI

Dear Editor:

In my opinion, buyback auctions [as were allowed in the Elgin meet auction] do not further our hobby in a positive fashion. I have seen many instances where unscrupulous sellers utilize such auctions in an effort to promote unrealistic prices upon naive buyers. Buyback auctions encourage "commercialization" of prices by overprotecting sellers who are motivated to collect radios more by dollars than by the fun our hobby offers.

At the Elgin auction, the auctioneer reopened the bidding when it was apparent that the bid was a buyback. This practice and the whole buyback procedure needlessly delays the auction to the point where many potential buyers eventually become discouraged and leave early, at the expense of straightforward sellers who later may realize lower bids from a thinned-out audience.

At the 2-day Dallas fall auction, where buybacks are not permitted, I see lively, well attended (to the end) activity. Prices paid there tend to reflect the going price. Occasionally, unexpected bargains appear when only one bidder participates (to the seller's chagrin). Other times, stratospheric prices result when two "got-to-have-it" bidders slug it out (to the seller's elation). However, most of the time, the final bid is close to the market and both buyer and seller seem happy. That's what a collector auction should be.

That's my two cents. What does anyone else think?

--Barry McDaniel, Little Rock, AR

A Swiss Kudo for A.R.C.
Dear Editor:

First, let me thank you for the interesting, high quality magazine you create every month. It is highly appreciated by me and many of my collector friends here in Switzerland. We all wish you continued success and hope to read you for many more years.

--Hans R. Denzler, Jens, Switzerland

A.R.C. Web Site
Dear Editor:

Just tried your site. Even though I have been on the net for two years, I just tried logging onto the Antique Radio Classified web site. I think it is great. The graphics are first rate and it is easy to move around. Great companion to the magazine. I will be a frequent visitor.

--Michael Franzen, Los Angeles, CA

Dear Editor,

Love your home page. First class, just like everything else A.R.C. does. By the way, you really made the May ad that we ran for the Mid-Atlantic Antique Radio Club Radioactivity meet look great.

--Steve Snyderman, Fairfax, VA

Dear Editor,

I'm a subscriber to A.R.C. and have just gained access to the Internet, and I was wondering if e-mailing ads to A.R.C. is permitted. Please let me know when you get the chance.

Congratulations on a great home page that is very attractive as well as informative.

--Mark Hilliard, Allentown, PA

Yes, you can send classified ads, as well as all other correspondence, to A.R.C. by e-mail. However, please make sure to put your full name and address on all e-mail. With over 8,000 subscribers, we have many of you with the same name!(Editor)

Minerva Set Info Sought for Book
Dear Editor:

I am looking for information about the Minerva set described in Radio Retailing, November 1931, as follows: "A 'Universal' midget-style radio set, which can be used either on a.c. or d.c.... is offered by the Minerva Radio Co., 10 N. Clark St., Chicago, Ill. This set has four tubes -- two 236's, one 238, and a 237 or a 171A. The speaker is a 6-in. magnetic.... The retail price is $26.25, complete."

This appears to be the first AC/DC radio, but does anyone know if it was actually made or anything about the company? I am doing research for an upcoming book and would like to solve the mystery.

--Alan Douglas, Pocasset, MA