This set is in the Philadelphia area for those interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Deco-RCA-Wooden-Waterfall-Tube-TV-Model-621TS_W0QQitemZ6204866886QQcategoryZ3638QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

I did see this set at an auction preview (I only wish I could have been at the auction to buy it. So it goes.) and it is in presentable condition, but the cabinet is not as good as the photos show. It should be refinished, but would be a very good starter set. The chassis is clean. The back is there. All the trim pieces are there.

I know nothing as to it's operating condition or the CRT condition.

I can pick it up locally and hold it for the buyer if needed.

Dave A

It's going to be fun to see what this set goes for as these are showing up every 1-3 weeks lately. I'm sure the word is out among Sellers to look for these as worth money. I'd be real hesistant on overbidding on this as prices on 621s might soften if enough of them show up out of the wood work and end up at auction. Some sets in 1940s 7" TVs don't go for much since fairly common. DOES anyone know how common these sets actually are --------or original production quantities produced from RCA???? Info please.

Supposedly there were 17,000 of them built. I have been attempting to assemble some information on surviving sets just to get an idea of how many are still around, so far I've heard of 30. http://www.vintagetvsets.com/621database.htm

The serial numbers are ranging from 2400-15,000 so far, however I've noticed that most of the 630's that show up on eBay also have serial numbers that fall into that range, whatever that might mean?

I offered someone $1500 for a 621 several months ago since these sometimes go high before auction and they decided to sell at auction that went for $500 less on final bid than my offer. I feel prices may drop if more original condition sets show up at auction than anyone expected. I'M DEFINETELY NOT GOING TO PAY NOW that amount now since large quanties originally produced. I'll be patient and get one resonable in a few years after all of these crazy bidding wars are over. 3 have been put up sale within last month!!!

:yes:




Does anyone think value will hold if ending up still being a fairly common set???

Of course I would like to have one but I'm no high roller. If I get one it will because somebody local has it for sale for a VERY reasonable price. (read:under $200) These sets are still out there, sitting in the corner of an upstairs bedroom or in the basement of big old houses in your town, right now. They are waiting for their owner to pass away at which time they will 1)go to auction or sold in some other manner, probably for not much money, then end up on ebay for over a grand, or 2)the executor of the estate will toss that "old tv nobody wants" into the dumpster with a mighty heave-ho.

"Does anyone think value will hold if ending up still being a fairly common set???"

I think the price will always be above $850 from anyone knowing the 621TS is a vintage television. The RCA 621 is still as close as you can get to RCA prewar design without spending $10K for a RCA TT5. I'm not sure rare is the only reason it is popular. A rare 1948 one of a kind 10" console with radio and phono recently sold for under $300 on ebay. The TVHISTORY.TV site even asked if they could post a picture of the console on their site. Even 3 years ago the RCA 621 was $600 more then the ten inch 8TS30. A recent bargin is the Philco 1000 which I have seen fewer ones for sale. After I purchased a philco 1000 for $300 (after looking for 3 years) two appeared this year for sale at the ETF convention with no takers for under $200. I think a Philco 1000 has been listed for sale on the ETF web site for several months. Other rare postwar sets out there that have been available (sold on eBay) are 1948 projection sets ($200-$700), Temples ($500-$1500) and Transvisions ($1500-$2200).

Closed at $1533.00

Being a blond finish may have boosted the price a bit.

BTW, there is an empty cabinet up for sale now, here's your chance to have a 621FT (fish tank) :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-621-TV-Cabinet-Only-For-Restoration_W0QQitemZ6206494646QQcategoryZ3638QQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem

I think the 621TS is so pupular because of how close it is to a TT-5. It's cabinet design is definately prewar-looking. Thats one of the reasons I want one so much. I do have a 630TS and I'm quite happy. The 630TS is definately more post war in design, both cabinet and electronics. I don't think the price of a 621TS will go down any time soon, but for most people, I guess it's the closest thing to having a TT-5.

Jonathan