[Hallicrafters] That Original Box Revisited

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

Here is the original spoof article I wrote about the original box topic when 
it was being hotly discussed some years ago. Enjoy!

       Dry Rot Or Not, I Gotta Have That Original Box!


                                        By, Duane B. Fischer


     Even though I am a professional Magician/Illusionist and
not supposed to be surprised by anything, I am amazed at
those who get sweaty palms lusting after an original box.
What is it about an original box that makes them so
attractive?

     Do they increase the functional quality or efficiency of
the item that came in them years before? No. Do they increase
the collectible value of that item that came in them years
before? No. Do they make the buyer willing to pay extra for
such an original box? Heck no!

     I got one inquiry on an item from a guy who asked if I
had the original box. He really wanted it and sincerely hoped
I had saved it. Which I did not, as I bought this used and
the seller did not have the original box either. I could
tell after reading a paragraph that this guy was not going to
buy the item, he was just bored and needed to talk to
somebody. So I lied to make him happy. Sure I had the
original box.

     Then he wanted to know if I would be willing to pay the
shipping. Sure I would be thrilled to pay the shipping for
him. Then he said he did not know me from Adam, so he thought
I should send him references before he sent me any money.
Yes, I am serious. Hope he enjoys the urine sample!

     Here is my standard reply to the original box question:

     Yes, I do have the original box it came in. I also have
all of the packing material, used shipping tape, hard
Styrofoam supports and metal staples I removed with a
screwdriver. Now this original box has been stored in my
garage in the attic for the past fifteen years. Some moisture
did get into it and the cardboard is a little moldy in some
places. You can probably kill the bacteria and fungus with
some strong bleach. I think a Mouse may have gotten into the
box too. There is one corner that something definitely chewed
on.  When I opened the box and checked inside, there was
quite a collection of Mouse terds and odd looking yellowish
green splotches. It might be Mouse urine.  Probably some
Lysol spray would help to knock down the putrid smell that
emanates from those spots.

     I also discovered a family of ugly black Spiders with
very long skinny legs and bony knees living among the foam
peanuts. There were quite a few rotting dead Fly bodies
around that the Spiders had sucked the juices out of. You
should probably wear protective rubber gloves when removing
them.  Those staples that held the original box shut are kind
of rusty now. boy those edges are sharp too! Be really
careful not to cut yourself on them! Is your Tetanus booster
up to date?

     I must apologize for the four by six inch brownish
orange spot on the lid. Somebody with absolutely no sense of
value dropped what looks to be a Banana pealing there. It is
gone now, decayed and rotted into this sort of gooey
rubbery fuzzy spot. I think you can probably scrape it off
with a sharp putty knife. It will probably, almost certainly,
leave a mark there though. It is right in the middle of the
"Fragile! Handle With Care!" marking. The entire word
"Handle" is obliterated. I heard about this guy in Iowa who
does silk screening. Maybe he can put it back on there for
you.

     By the way. It is going to cost an extra twenty dollars
to ship this original box properly protected with bubble
wrap, double boxed, a two inch cushion of pressure packed
foam peanuts and heavy soft foam in all corners to absorb
shipping shocks. I am confident that you will like the
original box and treasure it, as I have. I would rate it a 7
cosmetically. I don't think that Act Of God wear and tear
counts in cosmetic condition.


Original: August 18, 2000

Duane Fischer, W8DBF - WPE8CXO
E-Mail: dfischer at usol.com
Hallicrafters web site: www.w9wze.net
HHRP web site: hhrp.w9wze.net