They weren't just radios

[pwd72s]

During the art deco era they were works of art. About 20 minutes of eye candy.

[pwd72s]

Wanna buy one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202632681348?hash=item2f2dd95784:g:QyAAAOSw~HBaOaU P&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338787061&toolid=10001&customid=130832X1629067X246b7337e7f56607444a92a30f ade048

[GH85Carrera]

They are kinda sorta like antique clocks, only clocks at least tell time at a glance.

I have not listened to radio in 20 years or so. And the numerous antique clocks my wife collects are never really on time. Like the radios they are just "pretty do-dads" that need to be dusted. My wrist watch is never more than a half second off, and it sets itself every night at midnight.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

They are kinda sorta like antique clocks, only clocks at least tell time at a glance.

I have not listened to radio in 20 years or so. And the numerous antique clocks my wife collects are never really on time. Like the radios they are just "pretty do-dads" that need to be dusted. My wrist watch is never more than a half second off, and it sets itself every night at midnight.

Apparently you’re also not fond of air cooled Porsches. Same arguments.

[GH85Carrera]

Not at all. AM Radio is constant commercials and crappy songs played over and over. It is not the technology, but the content that sucks. I prefer my commercial free selection of music.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

During the art deco era they were works of art. About 20 minutes of eye candy.

Really fantastic stuff. I'd love to have one, and maybe someday will.

I also love clocks of all sorts. I've got 3 in storage that I miss having around (put into storage when we moved to the current places because it's small and we're still renovating).

I really want a cool old mantel clock (among others). The last time that I mentioned it, the missus said something about "maybe someday we'll have a mantel to put it on."

[GH85Carrera]

I totally understand the cool factor and they are works of art and design. But for me personally it is like having a really cool designer toaster. I never eat toast, I don't even understand toast. Take nice bread, and take all the moisture out of it and burn it a little. It makes no sense to me. If you like toast, fine, I don't.

My 911 is the perfect car, at least for me. I have driven it for 12 hours straight multiple times. To 41 states and Canada, to Laguna Secca, Roebling Road, and even Indianapolis 500 track, and it has only tripled in value since I bought it, and it may be quadrupled in price. The best toy possible. There is no other car on the planet that can do all that for me, and be something I can tinker on in my garage myself with no need of a computer, and not cost a quarter of a million or more to buy it. My 911 has been paid for since the last millennium.

My wife loves her many antique clocks and her antique husband!

[Zeke]

I have the 3rd one. a Belmont 6D111 shown 2 more times. I have the Zenith floor console shown 2/3rds the way and 6 more various tube radios including Grundig Majestics. Started the hobby this year after studying electronics on and off for a year. While I am a competent electrician, there is no comparison and it's been a tough road with no electronics background.

The cabinet repair and finishing is easy for me. Tracing capacitors and resistors reading a schematic is harder than trigonometry. Math was not my subject.

[herr_oberst]

Collections of vintage radios are cool. So are clocks and cameras and HO train engines and 1/18 scale models of German cars all painted silver and spoons and thimbles and Hummels and motorcycles if that's what you're into.

IMO, the way a collection is displayed is as important as the collection itself. I think an entire wall of vintage art deco and bakelite table radios in a custom cabinet would be something I would enjoy having.

[Zeke]

"It that's what you're into." Sounds a bit condescending like 'whips and chains, it that's what you're into." Sorry, thimbles and Hummels don't belong in the above group. Some people collect real spoons, if that's what they're into.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Zeke

"It that's what you're into." Sounds a bit condescending l

Sorry it came off that way. Wasn't meant to be condescending at all, I was trying to be supportive or complimentary. I like collections of every kind of widget, and always have. Especially when they're displayed in an artistic or creative manner.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I don't even understand toast.

That's a pretty hilarious statement. I understand what you're saying, and what you followed up with explained it, but to hit that first made me cock my head like a dog.

IMO, properly toasted toast will not be dry on the inside, but still soft. The outside will be lightly browned (tanned, really) and butter should be used. The toasting/browning process is actually a maillard creation process. And 99.9% of the time, maillard adds flavor. That's why most meat cooking includes some sort of browning (maillard). Grilling anything (meat, veggies, etc...) includes maillard creation. Bread and cake also have maillard (the brown crust on toast and cakes is maillard).

In BBQ or roast beef it's not unusual for folks to ask for the "burnt ends" which is not actually burned (black) but is just heavily maillarded (browned) which is a ton of flavor.

Toast is generally better if it's toasted with the butter on it (better done in an over than a toaster).

But not everyone enjoys the same stuff. Different strokes makes the world go 'round.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Sorry it came off that way. Wasn't meant to be condescending at all, I was trying to be supportive or complimentary. I like collections of every kind of widget, and always have. Especially when they're displayed in an artistic or creative manner.

Right, most collections are or could be interesting since most are either focused on the rare, old, interesting aspects or are a labor of love.

Even small kids with "rock collections" or whatever are great (more because of the kids than the collections).

Sometimes I may have to draw the line on the "all collections are interesting" statement...

[911 Rod]

^^^ Thin line between collecting and mental illness? lol

[GH85Carrera]

My grandparents were born before radio broadcasts, and were married before they owned a radio. My dad was born soon after that, so he grew up with radio as something that was just part of life.

When television came along, radio programs all moved to the TV. My grandmother used to listed to as the world turns when it was first broadcast on the radio, and loved the change to TV, even the crappy static filled black and white picture.

Grandma had a old 1950s era Bakelite radio one of the cousins really wanted, and no one else wanted it.

I have seen the photos of the large living room radios the entire family gathered around. I don't remember ever hearing my parents or grandparents talking about it. If they did I did not listen as I did not understand the concept at all back then.

One of my wife's relatives collected barbed wire. He had a large wall in his barn of hundreds of types of barbed wire. It was pretty cool as a collection, but not something you wanted in a house. Each piece was a couple of feet long, and mounted on a board.

There are endless things to collect. Usually unless it is something like coins, or something with intrinsic value, there is little desire from the kids to want it.

My wife also collect Flow Blue china. She has several wall displays and several cabinets full of it. All pretty enough, but not really worth all that much (I think) I have no idea what she paid for it.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Not at all. AM Radio is constant commercials and crappy songs played over and over. It is not the technology, but the content that sucks. I prefer my commercial free selection of music.

And a modern Honda Accord will out accelerate, corner and brake vs any naturally aspirated Porsche pre 1998. The AC will work better, it is safer, cheaper and has a better stereo, and far better reliability. “Content”.

No disrespect but I think you’re missing the point.

[911 Rod]

And these old radios probably sound like crap, but who cares.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

My wife also collect Flow Blue china. She has several wall displays and several cabinets full of it. All pretty enough, but not really worth all that much (I think) I have no idea what she paid for it.

Yep, unless there's something about a collection that REALLY reverberates with a child, so the child really associates that connection with the parent, and wants to keep that collection as a keepsake/memento/reminder, they are not likely to keep it. And many/most collections are not worth much. If you have the time and energy to market to other collectors, you may be able to make out, but often, taking a large collection of great stuff and trying to sell it for a ton does not work out as expected. Most collections really aren't worth much, especially if they are old and not currently en vogue.

Fine silver flatware. If you need to buy a fork to complete your collection, the fork will cost you. If you want to sell your collection, unless you find someone that wants YOUR collection and is willing to pay collectors prices for it, you'll probably only get the weight in silver.

100 year old American Brilliant style cut "crystal". I don't think you're going to get rich selling that stuff.

Stamps

If Grandpa Joe died and had a ton of old woodworking tools, you could sell those if you find the right place. To maximize the value, you'd have to sell them individually, and they'd have to be the desirable tools, not just any old tool.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Sorry it came off that way. Wasn't meant to be condescending at all, I was trying to be supportive or complimentary. I like collections of every kind of widget, and always have. Especially when they're displayed in an artistic or creative manner.

It did not come off as condescending at all, H. Oberst.

I understand exactly what you were saying.

To each their own, basically.

As it should be!

[Baz]

Yeah - I like 'em a lot!

I have several of these old consoles. There's no other stereo I've ever heard that can replicate the sound of these. Hard to describe other than it puts a big smile on my face and brings a delight to my ears!

All of mine are solid state except the one in the garage which is an older tube version. And I love the fact it has to warm up before any sound comes out.