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Why do people want antique radios? [message #87516]

Fri, 23 March 2018 14:27

Khanman
Messages: 21
Registered: March 2018

Chancellor

I'm just curious about why people want to get antique radios. Do you actually plan on using them? Are you a collector? Are you hoping they appreciate in value and you can sell them later? Just for novelty? I've never even considered getting anything that would be considered an antique...maybe "vintage," like a record player from the '70s or something...so I'm just curious why people buy antique radios.

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #87527 is a reply to message #87516]

Sat, 24 March 2018 11:23

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

I have several, and I use them. It's mostly just nostalgia, but I do make sure every one I own works, and I listen to them all from time to time, just like I would a brand-new radio. I listen to talk radio sometimes, and when I do, it's through one of my antique radios.

It's just cool to think that someone or some family listened to the events of history through the same radio I'm listening to. Most were made before WWII, so the original owners listened to a lot of very poignant broadcasts through them.

Groovy Old Radios

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #87533 is a reply to message #87516]

Sun, 25 March 2018 13:47

Ouroboros
Messages: 19
Registered: March 2018

Chancellor

I've also been curious about how often - if at all - people listen to their antique radios. I'm glad to hear that you use yours pretty regularly, Wayne. I sort of feared that people treated them like most antiques - decor that can serve as a talking point. I think it's really cool that you listen to talk radio on yours and think about what previous owners used to listen to. I wish we still had shows like that.

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #87538 is a reply to message #87516]

Sun, 25 March 2018 14:40

shadowplay
Messages: 14
Registered: March 2018

Chancellor

I think that the reason a lot of people buy antiques, including antique radios, is because of the rich history they have. It also helps that it's not horrendously difficult to find antique radios that still work. Then they have function, form, and sentiment all in one. What more could you want?

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #87665 is a reply to message #87538]

Tue, 03 April 2018 10:44

Strum Drum
Messages: 229
Registered: November 2017

Master

I've wondered about this myself. Are antique radios a good investment for flipping? I wonder what the resale market is like and whether the demand is there to drive up the value. I think it must be a regional thing because I've never seen them in antique shops or estate sales around here.

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #87666 is a reply to message #87665]

Tue, 03 April 2018 12:30

Madison
Messages: 334
Registered: June 2017

Grand Master

I'm interested in antique radios because of their unique history. I've just always liked old things better than their contemporary counterparts. I'm not an expert, but from general research I think antique radios would be hard to flip. Tubes aren't cheap and most of the older radios I've seen are heavy, so they'd be expensive to ship.

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #87676 is a reply to message #87665]

Tue, 03 April 2018 22:12

Wren
Messages: 16
Registered: March 2018

Chancellor

Strum Drum wrote on Tue, 03 April 2018 10:44

I've never seen them around my town either. Maybe it's a regional thing or maybe it's just a specialist thing. I wouldn't think they'd be easy to resell unless you bought it in great condition. Like most antiques, I think it would be pretty costly to repair it.

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #88295 is a reply to message #87516]

Mon, 02 July 2018 15:31

JazzHog
Messages: 33
Registered: July 2018
Location: Leeds, England

Baron

I'm not entirely sure of the motive, but I have met at least two people who love collecting old radios, record players, radiograms, and the like.

My neighbour some years ago had a passion for collecting them, but I don't think he knew much about how to do them up. He bought so many he had to hide them from his wife, and even had to put one or two in my flat! I ended up moving house, so I don't know what he did with them in the end. I think he just liked the vintage look.

Then my cousin's husband collects them, and he does know all about audio, and restores them a real treat. He even has an ancient juke box from the seventies! Now I do envy that. Anyway, they have beautiful old radios all over the house, and they do look nice.

So, I am not 100% sure of the motive, but it seems like some people really do get the bug.

By the way, sorry about British English spellings - I live in Yorkshire!

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #88316 is a reply to message #88295]

Tue, 03 July 2018 17:27

gofar99
Messages: 1949
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona

Illuminati (5th Degree)

Hi, I have several....they do two things for me, first they remind me of the craftsmanship of vintage gear and second they look cool. Smile

Good Listening
Bruce

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Re: Why do people want antique radios? [message #88328 is a reply to message #87516]

Wed, 04 July 2018 20:01

Floyd
Messages: 27
Registered: July 2018
Location: London

Chancellor

I'll go one step further: it's not just the love of old radios, I'd really like to own an early television from the 1950's. I'd like to have one in a little cabinet with those tiny early screens. I don't think I would be able to get a signal for it though, as analogue has now been switched off in the UK (I think). So if I owned one it would just be for show, and not for any kind of use. I just really fancy having one in my living room - it would be such a talking point!

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