http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-RCA-AMI00L-Salesmans-Mini-Scale-Model-Console-TV-/330548392094?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4cf638309e#ht_9258wt_1141

B&W and it works. It looks 10 years newer than stated.

And a few more:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Zenith-Space-Command-TV-Excellent-Condition-/110668812348?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item19c460103c#ht_500wt_1156

This is the newest Space Command I've seen on Ebay, circa 1986.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Russian-Portable-TV-Set-Vintage-Communist-Soviet-Russia-/360356375721?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item53e6e9eca9#ht_587wt_1141

Created during the Communist era, perhaps by Communists.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Zenith-Console-Television-25-Inch-/180645645344?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a0f51cc20#ht_711wt_1141

Expensive, so it better work perfectly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-1982-KMART-KMC-BLACK-WHITE-PORTABLE-11-TELEVISION-/370495438023?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item56433fbcc7#ht_1957wt_907

In need of an antenna.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Retro-1987-Television-/150580519406?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item230f4c61ee#ht_500wt_922

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-WORKING-ADMIRAL-AM-FM-PHONO-TV-ALL-WOOD-CONSOLE-/270718975347?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3f081bbd73#ht_1030wt_1141

That mini-console is from the early '70's and is a tube set.

Concerning the $400 Zenith, I guess that was their idea of an April fools joke. I've gotten to the point where I won't take any console from that era and I had a hard time getting rid of the last few I did have.

Those mini consoles look funny. The Russian set is interesting, but 400 for that Zenith!? He'd be lucky to find somebody to pick that up for free. The newest set I have is my 71' Chromacolor. I'm not really interested in sets much later then that.

I have the Zenith 9" color set playing on Comcast cable right now, perfect color, it's my daily driver! LOL I have one pink one, and another white one. The pink one has perfect color too. I'd love that Admiral combo, I hope one of the Floridians goes after it.

The "Salesman's Sample" is a lowly tube 9" B/W all dressed up in fancy clothes...I had one & gave it to Terry Dewick after his wife made such a big fuss over how cute it was...They ARE kinda cute, in an odd sort of way...

Those mini consoles look funny. The Russian set is interesting, but 400 for that Zenith!? He'd be lucky to find somebody to pick that up for free. The newest set I have is my 71' Chromacolor. I'm not really interested in sets much later then that.

It would have to be perfectly working for anyone to even CONSIDER it. Even still, it's rather new to be worth anything near $400.

That RCA mini-console is actually a hybrid. IIRC, it has about four tubes, the rest SS. Those 9" Zenith's were both remote and non-remote. I have several. Very compact and hard to work on.

Why do sellers always call the mini RCA a salesman sample? It was a regular
production item, I remember seeing them on the store shelves back in the
'70's (along with the denim clad Zeniths!).

Why do sellers always call the mini RCA a salesman sample? It was a regular
production item, I remember seeing them on the store shelves back in the
'70's (along with the denim clad Zeniths!).

Because "salesman samples" is a whole sub-set of collectibles, and people think they're going to score an extra buck by throwing in that term.

The thing is, salesman's samples are usually for products that would be unfamiliar to a new (usually rural) customer, and carrying a full-sized version is impractical. Think of the guy circa 1930, trying to sell a washing machine to a farmer's wife who is still using a washboard and tub. He carries around a little bucket-sized washer to show how she only need pile the clothes inside, then wring them out to dry.

What makes the ebay auction "salesman sample" TV so stupid is the idea a salesman would have to show people living in 1969 or later (judging by the modern RCA logo) what a television set was. Granted I wasn't born until the 70s, but I hear-tell TV was already quite popular by then!

I saw a regular black and white sales brochure that had that set, and a Mediterranean style model. I don't think it's really a sample, unless they did double duty.

That RCA mini console gives me an idea. I wonder if I should make such a cabinet for the 12" Zenith B&W for which I am in need of a back. The front panel is in good shape. It would not be anything fancy though, just a simple wooden cabinet that the chassis and front panel would fit into.