[Johnson] Re: [AMRadio] EF Johnson museum

John Dilks K2TQN oldradio at worldnet.att.net
Wed Jun 25 11:12:12 EDT 2008


Todd,

No one was more distraught than Leo was.  He originally thought it 
would be displayed for many years there.  When almost no one showed 
up to see the display, the museum re evaluated and decided to use the 
space.  They allowed Leo a lot of time to find a new home.

Leo tried in vain to find a home for the collection.  None of the 
"official radio museums" wanted the gear. (they were all full.) At 
one time I was offered the entire collection which I had to decline, 
as I could not possibly provide the necessary space to house the 
entire collection.  Eventually it was donated to the Shriners who 
sold it off through eBay.  I was lucky enough to purchase one nice 
piece which I have in my collection.

All the pieces now have new homes with hundreds of collectors.  It 
was the best that could be done.

We're lucky there still is a display of the EF Johnson equipment.  In 
time that too will disappear.  Take a look around at your next 
collector event.  Where are all the young people to carry on for 
us?  In the New Jersey Antique Radio Club of a hundred or so members, 
there is only one young person (about 17). After him it jumps to the 
30's, and jumps again to the 50's and up.

My own kids don't want my collection.  The best I can hope for is, 
they will each keep a small piece or two.  All the rest will 
(hopefully) find new homes.

73, John Dilks, K2TQN

At 10:37 AM 6/25/2008, you wrote:
>Gone. Has been for years. Which is why it was not only a sad affair,
>it riled up a number of folks who donated their old gear to "Leo's
>Museum" as most folks believed it to be. Turns out it was a display in
>honor of Leo's WRL business, and when the display was over, the gear
>was sold. It showed up on ebay for quite a while, maybe a year or more
>under 'Westernheritage' or similar user ID. I often wondered how the
>person who donated the 1934 Collins transmitter or any other number of
>scarce rigs felt when/if they saw it being auctioned. They no doubt
>believed it was being preserved for future generations to see.
>
>~ Todd,  KA1KAQ



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