Hello!!! What type of Admiral did I find?

[barsteel]

Hello!

First posting here. I own a junk collection business and occasionally come across antique TVs. I just came across this Admiral, and I'd like to identify it and to get some idea of its worth, if that's ok.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so I've attached one. TV appears to be solid, with original stand, but it only hums quietly when I turn it on.

TV has 13 channels, starting at 2.

Thanks in advance...

Chris

[kramden66]

looks like the Admiral 20X136 from 1949

mike

[barsteel]

Kramden -

Thanks. The back is off and the following numbers are printed on the chassis: 12 20Y1 X.

Any help nailing the model?

Chris

[electroking]

Originally Posted by barsteel

Hello!

First posting here. I own a junk collection business and occasionally come across antique TVs. I just came across this Admiral, and I'd like to identify it and to get some idea of its worth, if that's ok.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so I've attached one. TV appears to be solid, with original stand, but it only hums quietly when I turn it on.

TV has 13 channels, starting at 2.

Thanks in advance...

Chris

Thus it has 12 channels! Welcome to VK!

[barsteel]

YES it does!!! .

Thanks for the correction.

Any sense of value? This one will probably be going on Ebay.

Chris

[Phil Nelson]

Shipping is a big issue for old TVs, because they break, duh.

There is no official "blue book" of prices for old TVs. I'd suggest a low starting bid, maybe $50, to get people interested, and then see where it leads.

Phil Nelson

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by barsteel

Kramden -

Thanks. The back is off and the following numbers are printed on the chassis: 12 20Y1 X.

Any help nailing the model?

Chris

20Y1 is the chassis number. It was used in four models 20X136, 20X145, 20X146 and 20X147.

20X136 is the only tabletop in the group so kramden66 is correct.

Whereabouts are you located ? Someone local to you might be interested in your set (including me )

[barsteel]

banderson -

I'm in Monroe, CT, zip is 06468. Email me if you're interested.

Thanks...

Chris

[charokeeroad]

Chris, Most sellers get discouraged when they find out what they have to do to ship an old tv like that. I'll start the dialogue out and then a lot of other collectors will give you more details. First of all you will need to remove the knobs, remove the chassis screws on the bottom of the set and pull out the chassis. Retain all screws and other hardware, most of it is irrepalceable.Carefully seperate the wire connector from the back of the picture tube......

[wa2ise]

Originally Posted by charokeeroad

Chris, Most sellers get discouraged when they find out what they have to do to ship an old tv like that.

The TV when new had to get somehow from the factory to a customer's home. How did they do it?

[charokeeroad]

Originally Posted by wa2ise

The TV when new had to get somehow from the factory to a customer's home. How did they do it?

I think a big truck took it to the TV store. Then the TV man delivered it to the house and did the set up. That's the way I remember it.

[electroking]

I have read (in an old book by Milton S. Kiver) that most early TVs were shipped
with the CRT in a separate box. Does anyone know if this one is old enough for
that?

The book is 'Television and FM Receiver Servicing', published 1950.

[kramden66]

Wouldn't the tv and crt shipped seperate apply to the early rca sets but not to those manufactuers that had the crt straped to the chassis ? the early rca sets that the front came off and the crt was pulled out the front might make sense but a lot of these others in the 1949 era don't seem to support that.

mike

[Phil Nelson]

Yes, it depends on how the CRT is mounted inside the cabinet.

In my RCA 630TS, the CRT has very flimsy supports. The factory manual has elaborate instructions showing the dealer how to install the CRT, which was shipped in a separate box. RCA never intended that this heavy TV would be shipped with the CRT inside.

In other TVs, the CRT supports are much sturdier. Those could be safely shipped all in one piece . . . IF the chassis and CRT mounting hardware was all secure, and IF the cabinet wasn't falling to pieces, and IF the TV was securely packed in a sturdy box, and IF that box was carefully handled along the way.

Those are all big IFs. When you buy a 60-year old TV from some random pinhead on eBay, anything might happen as a result of poor condition or careless packing or shipping.

The chassis and CRT bolts could be loose or missing, allowing the CRT to smash or the chassis to break the cabinet (or pull off knobs, etc.), no matter how well the TV is packed.

The cabinet may be weak from dried glue, warped panels, water damage, etc., and break under the weight of the chassis. Again, this can happen even if the TV is well packed.

The box and padding may be insufficient, allowing the TV to ricochet around inside or be smashed from the outside.

The box might be dropped -- on its side, on its face, or on its head. It might be speared by a forklift.

When these TVs were new, they were delivered by people who knew what was inside the box and handled it carefully. It's harder to guarantee white-gloves handling in today's automated environment. The best approximation is to hire a company like Craters & Freighters, who will pick up an item, build a custom container(s), and ship it by truck.

It is possible to ship a TV with the CRT in place and I have done that before with no problems. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. You need to find out the TV's condition and construction, and then decide how to ship it. If a seller is too dumb or too crabby to cooperate, then don't buy the TV.

Just my $0.02.

Phil Nelson