[Johnson] Re: [AMRadio] EF Johnson museum

[Carl]

Big collections have a history of being broken up when the owner dies or a 
museum folds.

Probably the largest example is the Harrah Auto Museum. That scattered all 
over the planet. Some has  gone to Jay Leno; others to another huge 
collector in Oregon who recently died and the cycle starts again.

Its a shame that most of us attain a nice collection late in life and the 
cycle is rather short.
Ive almost 300 radios from 1920's battery to the end of the tube era and 
including over 50 boatanchors. My sons have zero interest.
I really have to get a data base on permanent record.

Carl
KM1H



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Dilks K2TQN" <oldradio at worldnet.att.net>
To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" 
<amradio at mailman.qth.net>; <johnson at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Johnson] Re: [AMRadio] EF Johnson museum


>
> 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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