Sometime back CT-100's seem to fetch a easy $1500.00 or more even with a bad jug! Surprised the bid went kinda low on this set! Never know on ebay!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&item=200025210038&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I think eBay has an ebb and flow, with no rhyme or reason. I remember seeing a CT-100 with a known-bad tube sell for $2500, and now this! I just won this set, which I was shocked to win: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&item=220025607442&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1 ... It's an early 50s Hallicrafters big metal table model, not really worth anyhing but I sure thought I'd get outbid at $9! Looks like it had an AC cord fire, but otherwise clean.

***Since this is the color TV column, and I am only referencing this ad to show that the present eBay market is down to support a theory of why the CT-100 stayed low, please don't reply on this Hallicrafters on this thread. I will be starting a new thread on the Vintage and B&W TV column when I get the set home***

So it's all timing & luck.

Charles

...

That was tims auction. No where near its reserve.

The cabinet resto alone was $600. Just as well that I keep it :)

that it simply was not on long enough for the right buyers to find it. I think there are plenty of people who would pay whatever the seller wants as he sounds to be fair and maybe generous. I hope to see the set relisted and just left on a year or so long auction and if I get extra money I will bid on it!

...
:thmbsp:

I think Charles is right with his ebb/flow theory. I remember seeing these bringing a lot more a few years ago. Hell... just a good CRT would fetch more than that highest bid. I also think it all depends on who's looking at any given moment. Also, most of the collectors with "deeper pockets" probably already have a CT100... and restoring one is probably enough of a headache by itself.

OK, so I know zip about vintage TVs. The CT-100 is special because? Rare? First model avalible? Classic ?

Not that I plan on starting collecting but would like to be educated a little as I do tend to follow your guys threads now and again :thmbsp:
Lefty

...

It goes back to early 1954 when color TVs were first available for sale--although it was not the very first in stores. It's kinda the "Model T" of color TV receivers. A surprising number of manufacturers offered 15" color TVs that year, but the CT-100 was probably the only one that moved in any kind of number.

A CT-100 is the crème de la crème of color television because it represents the essence of the second NTSC, which defined color TV technology for the FCC.

As a practical example, here is a picture of the CBS transmitter control room in the Empire State Building in 1955. There sits an RCA T-100.

http://home.att.net/~pldexnis/potpourri/CT-100_at_WCBS_Xmtr_2-1955.jpg

Tim was right to put a realistic reserve on his display set.

Prices of vintage TV sets vary greatly because there aren't many buyers or collectors. Once all the established collectors who can afford a set have one, the price of the next one for sale may be very low. Over time new players enter the market, and the prices go up again. Right now rare postwar sets, such as Viewtones, Telekits, Transvisions, and even RCA 621s are bringing high prices, while early color sets are not doing well. Prewar sets are still selling at very high prices (but not much higher than they were selling for 5 years ago).

But remember that it wasn't too long ago (15 years maybe) when a prewar set could have been bought for $2000, and a CT-100 for a few hundred dollars. I think that 20 years from now prices will be much higher than they are today, and even sets that today are almost worthless (50s b & w, for example) will be valuable.

But remember that it wasn't too long ago (15 years maybe) when a prewar set could have been bought for $2000, and a CT-100 for a few hundred dollars. I think that 20 years from now prices will be much higher than they are today, and even sets that today are almost worthless (50s b & w, for example) will be valuable.


TRUE! I remember all of us (collectors) lauging about Kent Warner buying Phil Barr's '38 Andrea kit 5" for $600. What kind of a nut would pay that kind of money for an old TV with no cabinet? :scratch2: And it was restored & working. And I bought a CT-100 with a good tube (WORKING with a minor vertical problem) from Phil a few years after that for $450!!! The Andrea sale was circa 1980, and my CT-100 circa 1985. Ed Reitan (Colortel) helped me fix that CT-100 chassis in the mid 80s, and it is still working as far as I know (Gary Miller collection).

Charles

From Harry Poster's ad in the January '88 Antique Radio Classified:

"Xmas Specials...Use those extra $$ to buy...
TRK-12...restoration special $3000
TRK-12...works $4500
CT100...$350

Still paying too much for your vintage TV's
Any Pre-1943 TV $1000-10,000
Working 30" BW $750
Early color (16" or smaller) $300-2000"

I would agree with the comments of Steve, Pete and Charles. There are relatively few early color collectors, so the market for them will always be very soft. They are quite involved to restore, and there is always the issue of the hard to find 15GP22 CRT. But that is part of the mystique of the early color sets. But collect 'em cause you love 'em, not as an investment!

My case was a spot of financial burden, otherwise I would never consider it. But, fortunately I won't have to ;)

For any collector, owning a CT100 is sweet. But you, Tim, owning TWO of them (whether working or not), is certainly worth smiling about! The angels of cosmic signals were definitely looking down on you! :angel:

I have read somewherer here that the rebuilding process for those 15GP22's is difficult mainly because of the cooling differences between the metal cone and the glass parts. I was surprised that nobody here was able to obtain the manufactoring secrets that would likely solve this problem. Seems like the info would be on record somewhere. So, I wondered if perhaps a molded insulating cover may have been used to keep the metal cone temp constantly controlled to coordinate with the glass temps?
I am getting ready to send a 21FJP22 to Hawkeye since I have not found one to buy and I read thier ad mentioning the metal picture tubes. I would think all would have thought of my idea but sometimes even the experts miss the obvious!

For any collector, owning a CT100 is sweet. But you, Tim, owning TWO of them (whether working or not), is certainly worth smiling about! The angels of cosmic signals were definitely looking down on you! :angel:

I only own one now. The restoration shop closed up and went bankrupt, and my cabinet went with it. I ended up selling the parts to cover my losses :(

I only own one now. The restoration shop closed up and went bankrupt, and my cabinet went with it. I ended up selling the parts to cover my losses :(

Oh... Sorry Tim... I was under the impression you got it back finally.

I only own one now. The restoration shop closed up and went bankrupt, and my cabinet went with it. I ended up selling the parts to cover my losses :(

I can sympathize... This photo (circa July, 1988) is a restored, working CT-100 in my driveway :pity:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/kx250racer/DuPontFire.jpg


Charles

Well O.K.
Good Stories All !

When I worked at the local Rescue Mission Alliance - sort of like the Salvation Army, Goodwill - here in Syracuse as a part time TV / Radio/ Phonograph/ all things electronic repairperson in the early 1970's I could have bought a 15 inch- 15gp22 that is - blond cabinet General Electric console with a good CRT for $2.50. Yes- Two Dollars Ands Fifty Cents.
" Beyond Repair " sets could be purchased for that. But because I was honest and repaired it the company got $100.00 more than they had before. (I couldn't afford it!) Another one never crossed my doorway again. Or another set with a 15g or 21ax in it either for that matter. No , I don't regret my decision. I hope it's making as good a picture today for somebody as it was last time I saw it. .
I did buy a Ge console with a well used original sulfide 21axp22. It had 4 5u4's in the rectifier circuit. And a great picture if I nursed it along. It wasn't for the casual viewer.
Price was $2.50 of course. I wish I had that one back as it was my first color set. I swapped it for a Delmonico Nivico console- which was a piece of junk- live and learn.

Wow-2 early GE color sets-must have to do with your location (Syracuse). I wonder how many made it out of NY?