[Hallicrafters] Re: Investing nonsense

[kiyoinc at attglobal.net]

john <johnmb at nc.rr.com> Wrote:
> 
> This seems to happen in the market for most old "collectables". There's 
> always a bubble followed by more reasonable prices.  It happens a lot in 
> collector cars. Investing in ANY collectable is VERY speculative.
> 
> In my opinion, given the VERY limited marketplace, in old ham gear, it's crazy.
> 
> That in mind, it's not stopped be from amassing quite an array of gear, but 
> if it all goes in the landfill tomorrow, I've gotten my moneys worth of 
> enjoyment out of it all.

I don't think so.  I follow "collecting" and radio stuff has yet to 
become valuable.

Take a look at the "Antiques Roadshow" for some shockers, "Properly 
advertised, this wooden chicken would sell, easily, for $5,000."  or 
"That rag doll was one of only 50,000 made at that time, $18,000."  Dumb 
looking furniture, ceramic pigs, art that makes you shake your head.

That's nuts.

I own a Collins 75S-1 serial number 55, works, looks good, a pivot piece 
in the evolution of professional-grade, MILITARY-STYLE communications 
equipment; vacuum tubes, 1 kHz read-out PTO, mechanical filters; when 
new, it cost about half the price of a standard Chevrolet.

These will never, ever be made again.  It's almost 50 years old but 
tunes SSB and CW just as well as the newest DSP, synthesized radio.

Mull over two things.

1) There is no market for 99% of the stuff sold as valuable antiques. 
It's not like anyone NEEDs a ceramic pig.  It's only valuable because of 
scarcity, age, and someone put it in a book with a high price tag on it.

2) These primo radios actually work, S-line, Drake, Signal/One, 
Hammarlund, and so on.  Top of the line ICOM's and Yeasus are Ten 
Thousand Dollars.  My 75S-1 serial number 55 hears as well and if you 
want one, you have to buy it from someone who owns one.  There's no 
factory banging these out.

High isn't $5,000 for an SX-115.  That's barely tapping inflation.  I 
remember the SX-115 was about $650 when new.

High is prices like the price of my Fantastic 4 #1 comic book.  That was 
originally 10 ¢.  It's more now.

de ah6gi/4