View Full Version : I have 5 vintage TV sets that I am looking for some information on


Calavera
05-12-2011, 04:00 AM
The big console TV with the doors is a Freed Eisemann, the 3rd picture is a sylvania,the one in the 4th picture is an Arvin, the TV\Radio is an Admiral, and I am not sure without going outside and looking what kind the 2nd picture is. Would anyone know a rough value of any of these sets? I would like to sell them. I would love to see them restored but I do not have the knowledge or money to fix them. Or if anybody might possibly know the model of any of these TVs, Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also all of the sets power up, but they would need work to be operational.

http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/2517/0011401.th.jpg (http://img863.imageshack.us/i/0011401.jpg/)http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9219/0011407c.th.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/0011407c.jpg/)http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2843/0011411.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/0011411.jpg/)http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3328/0011413.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/0011413.jpg/)http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3148/0011415.th.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/0011415.jpg/)http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3986/0011416.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/0011416.jpg/)

VintagePC
05-12-2011, 06:15 AM
The sylvania looks like one of their "halo" sets that a few people here have.

I've seen #5 here before as well, so someone knows what it is :)

BTW, if you post your general location, there may be some people here that are interested in buying your sets and restoring them.

cwmoser
05-12-2011, 07:07 AM
Whats the history on that Freed Eisemann TV?
Looks interesting.
I once owned a 1920's Freed Eisemann battery radio but got rid of it - mainly because it was the only one I had every seen and it seemed such an odd duck.

Now, my curiosity makes me want to know the background and history of that TV and about its quality/perceptions/etc. Anyone here know anything about Freed Eisemann the company and its products?

Carl

Calavera
05-12-2011, 03:38 PM
I am located in southeastern Indiana, I don't know much about the Freed Eisemann cwmoser, We have had it for years. I made a mistake in my first post I meant to say that the 5th picture is an Arvin, the 4th picture is just a picture of the Freed Eisemann with the doors closed.

mbates14
05-12-2011, 08:48 PM
Where at in indiana? I am in the cincinatti/hamilton OH area. :)

RCA2000 is as well, also.

bgadow
05-12-2011, 09:51 PM
There have been some good histories written on the original Freed-Eisemann company in some antique radio journals. I think they were a victim of the depression and somebody else grabbed the name. I have a rather cheap F-E radio from the late 30s, which looks to be made by one of those outfits that would slap whatever name you wanted on the cabinet.

I have heard of F-E TV sets but they are not common. Same way, I think these were just "badge-engineered". Despite being rare, I don't think it's worth much.

OvenMaster
05-12-2011, 10:24 PM
The big console TV with the doors is a Freed Eisemann, the 3rd picture is a sylvania,the one in the 4th picture is an Arvin, the TV\Radio is an Admiral, and I am not sure without going outside and looking what kind the 2nd picture is. Would anyone know a rough value of any of these sets? I would like to sell them. I would love to see them restored but I do not have the knowledge or money to fix them. Or if anybody might possibly know the model of any of these TVs, Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also all of the sets power up, but they would need work to be operational.

http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/2517/0011401.th.jpg (http://img863.imageshack.us/i/0011401.jpg/)http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9219/0011407c.th.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/0011407c.jpg/)http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2843/0011411.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/0011411.jpg/)http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3328/0011413.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/0011413.jpg/)http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3148/0011415.th.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/0011415.jpg/)http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3986/0011416.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/0011416.jpg/)

The only one I recognize is the third one, a Sylvania HaloLight from 1957. That's the first one I've seen since I was small; my grandmother had one just like that.
There appear to be two plastic slide control knobs missing... one on the left for power on-off and one on the right for the ratcheting VHF channel selector.
Look here: http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=111894

Calavera
05-12-2011, 11:13 PM
Where at in indiana? I am in the cincinatti/hamilton OH area. :)

RCA2000 is as well, also. Really? I'm only 50 miles from Cincinnati. Would you be interested in any of the sets?

Calavera
05-16-2011, 01:18 AM
Anybody?

Calavera
05-18-2011, 03:18 AM
Just curious, how much copper is in these old sets?

David Roper
05-18-2011, 05:11 AM
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/11/19/129031704181832728.jpg

Calavera
05-18-2011, 05:18 AM
Lol why is that not cool David Roper?

VintagePC
05-18-2011, 06:33 AM
We've seen to many classic/vintage TVs turn up on E-bay and other places that have been "fishtanked" (sorry for using that word!!) or turned in to cabinets/minibars of some sort because someone is ignorant to their value/significance. While people are free to do with their own possessions as they wish, we really don't want these sets destroyed.

The folks here are a bunch of devotees who wish to preserve all of these old sets, as there aren't that many of them left... and any mention of destroying/scrapping/fishtanking turns them in to... well, perhaps a werewolf is a similar analogy to what happens. :D

So, please don't joke about such things... Humour doesn't come across clearly in many posts, so even if you were joking, it looks like you're quite serious.

That said, the answer to your question is "less than what it's actually worth to a collector."

Calavera
05-18-2011, 06:40 AM
I completely understand, I would really hate to destroy these sets like that too, and I actually don't know if I could bring myself to do it. I had never even thought of it until I read a post on here about someone doing it. Apparently there isn't many devotees around my parts lol or someone would want to buy them.

VintagePC
05-18-2011, 07:02 AM
The major issue is usually distance - there are a lot of people that would want to save the sets, but they're just too far away. I myself would really like to have a tube-based TV as well.

People don't like shipping these things because more often than not, they don't survive the package handlers - so it's "pick-up in person" or nothing. (not to mention that the shipping costs can be very high)

If you really want to get rid of them, see if you can find a local electronics swap-meet near your area- then take them there with a "Must GO" sign. Most people will be sympathetic to the reason and if interested, take one or more off your hands. (just make sure they want to restore/preserve and not tank it!)

Similar predicament - I dunno what I'm going to do with all my vintage computer gear should I have to get rid of it... people who appreciate it are few and far between. :S

Calavera
05-18-2011, 09:19 AM
Too bad you are not closer, maybe we could trade some for some vintage computer stuff, I love 80s computers :music:

VintagePC
05-18-2011, 02:26 PM
damn... I'd gladly have traded some C64 or '80s PC gear for one of those TVs :) Sadly I'm way up in Canada... :tears:

Calavera
05-27-2011, 05:31 PM
The second set is actually a Spartan. I have an offer of $50 for it. Do you think that is a fair price?

bandersen
05-27-2011, 10:25 PM
The second set is actually a Spartan. I have an offer of $50 for it. Do you think that is a fair price?

Yes, I'd say that's a fair price. Especially, as the picture tube is untested as replacement picture tubes can be hard to find.

Penthode
05-27-2011, 10:29 PM
Is the second set a Sparton rather than a Spartan? The round tube suggests it is early.

Calavera
05-28-2011, 03:09 AM
Is the second set a Sparton rather than a Spartan? The round tube suggests it is early.

Yes it is a Sparton, it powers up when plugged in but nothing comes on the screen. I've got an offer of $50 which seems fair to me.