With almost five days to go!
It's in nice shape but wow. Back seems to be missing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1940s-EMERSON-GOLD-FACADE-MINIATURE-TELEVISION-/110722283764?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item19c78ff8f4

That's one of the biggest voids in my collection--the one where that set belongs. I had a chance to get a chassis (only) and regret now that I didn't, as at these prices the void is likely to remain for quite a while.

It's in very nice shape. He may have the back and just removed it for pictures.

The Emerson 639 TV was my second and last (so far) TV restoration.
This is a neat little TV using the 7JP4 picture tube.

I had $75 in capacitors and resistors restoring mine.
The little 7JP4 put out a bright picture.

Restoration:
http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=132686


Carl

It sports easily my favorite series-string TV tube complement, crowding a majority of octals onto a chassis even smaller than the Motorola set.

25L6 audio and video output FTW. :D

Three different bidders were willing to pay over $500.00.

Final bid = $535.67

Unrestored, exceptional condition.

Carl

I saw one of these at Radiofest in Chicago yesterday It was complete but the case was pretty rough. They were asking $85. I took a pass because I don't usually like the 7jp4 table sets. NOthing wrong with them, just my own preference is full size consoles. Preferebly early color if I can find them. $535 seems like an awfull lot for that set. Is it extremely rare?

No, not extremely rare, but popular. I talked them down and picked up that set yesterday. Other than the rough cabinet it's all complete and in good condition :)

Insane!

I have two of these, neither cost me anywhere near that.

One is restored and working, made from two sets, a leatherette covered model that was junk but had a good face and knobs, and a wood model that had a good cabinet, chassis and tube.

The second is an original wood set like this in good condition but needing refinishing.

radios10467 has a following of well heeled buyers who want stuff in the best condition, this one seems great but it's missing the back.

I don't suppose it's coincidence that one showed up with a BIN of $39.95
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Metal-Back-1949-Emerson-Model-600-639-7-TV-/230655319601?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item35b420de31

The buyer can make it an even $600 if he buys that too.


My set.
http://www.vintagetvsets.com/images/emersonresto.jpg

radios10467 has a following of well heeled buyers who want stuff in the best condition, this one seems great but it's missing the back.


I've noted the better codition televisions commanding ever greater prices.
Maybe there are some new collectors who have the finances that are bidding these TVs up. When you think about it, these TV's are pretty rare outside the close knit community of old time TV collectors. I've been in the Radio restoration hobby since the 1980s and my Zenith porthole TV is the only one of two portholes I have ever seen in person - the other a ragged out Raytheon porthole I saw a couple years ago. Maybe 10 years from now our more pristine TVs will command much greater prices. In 10 years, many of the old folks will have passed on along with any nice TVs in their estates.

Carl

I think the better stuff always commands a high price, anyone remember that $600 VT-71 a few years ago? It looked like it was just out of the box though inside and out.

This set looks nicer than average but far from mint, knobs need paint, chassis dirty and dull.