Can anyone tell me about a Spartan 4900?

Hi folks!

Believe me when I say I don't know the first thing about vintage televisions!

My husband and I just bought a new house, and the owners left behind a ton of old stuff, including a Spartan 4900 console (projection tv, turntable and radio).

I have NO idea what to do with this thing! I'm not sure if it's worth anything or even how to find out. It certainly is a pretty thing, though. It looks in pretty good shape, just missing a couple of knobs. It even has a little pamphlet that I'm guessing came with it.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[Eric H]

Hi, Welcome to AK!

Your Spartan is actually what is known as a "Mirror in Lid" set.

Harry Posters 1991 book listed it at $150.
If it's complete and in good cosmetic shape it may be worth a couple hundred bucks or more if you can find the right buyer.

The problem with sets like that is they are BIG and heavy so a buyer has to be near enough to pck it up.

If you would like to tell us your location perhaps someone here would be interested.

Eric

[Tim]

Roote:

Congratulations on your new house and the Sparton. The 4900-TV is a 1949 model and relatively uncommon. I happen to own one of these and it sure is a great conversation piece.

It is not a "projection" set per se but what is known as an indirect view or "mirror in lid" set. The picture tube is mounted vertically in the set. The mirror reflects the image to the eyes of the viewer and not to a screen. The advantage of this type of arrangement was that the cabinet did not have to be as deep as those with the conventional horizontal mounted picture tube. As picture tube technology improved and tubes could be made shorter. this configuration fell out of favor.

These large console sets, because of storage space considerations, are worth less to collectors than the smaller sets but that doesn't mean they are not to be admired. Worth?? Maybe $100 to $250 depending on condition and the mood of the buyer.

I think I have some original knobs if you need replacements and want to display and admire it.

Don't plug it in though, it should be electrically restored before it has power applied to it so that damage does not occur.

Enjoy your find.

[Sandy G]

Congrats on the house, TV, And welcome to AK !! I'd like to have one of these beasties someday...but all the usual haunts are rather scarce in TVs. And, seeing as how we didn't have TV here til '54, you NEVER see the really old ones. There are several members here who can probably get yr set running again-wouldn't THAT be cool to show off to guests in yr new home ?!? -Sandy G.