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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets. |
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11th Apr 2017, 5:10 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 2
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Valves, Valves, And More Vacuum Tubey Goodness
Good afternoon all! Upon clearing my shed out I came across a box of mixed valves that I have had for over 20 years. As I know people dedicate time to restoration of radios of eras gone by, would old stock valves have any value these days? Most are in original boxes, with date stamps such as 1941 or 1942. Some are military from the part numbers I looked up, and others such as 6L5, 10P14 and 20P3 and VR135. There are way too many to list but as it seemed a shame to throw them away. If there is anybody that can point me in the right direction then I will point you to a pint at the nearest bar!
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11th Apr 2017, 5:30 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,787
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Re: Valves Vales And More Vacuum Tubey Goodness
Old valves certainly have a value but it varies a great deal depending on type and condition. You can get a rough idea of value by looking at eBay completed listings.
If the valves really are unused new old stock (NOS) then that increases the value significantly, but repairmen in days of yore tended to put the old valve in the new valve's box when they changed one. If the manufacturers' names on the valves and boxes differ, then that is likely to be the reason. There were also a lot of specialised military valves dumped on the surplus market in the 50s which have little use now - the VR135 is one of these (it was used in the 19 set B-set and WW2 radars). If you want an accurate estimate of value, you are going to have to list them. The values will range from £2 for a run of the mill 60s TV valve to £5 for valves useful in radio restoration (like the 10P14) to £500+ for highly sought after rare valves used in exotic hifi amps. |
11th Apr 2017, 5:34 pm | #3 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 2
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Re: Valves Vales And More Vacuum Tubey Goodness
Most of the ones I checked seem to be mostly for radio and I even found one magic eye tuner. Some are not in boxes which I can guess means that they were pulled from old equipment. Quite a few are marked up US Army Signal Corps. The ones in boxes are still wrapped up in the original wrapping with matching part numbers to what is on the box with various manufacturers such as Cossor, Brimar, Marconiphone etc. and even sold for 17/6 plus purchase tax! Even if they are not valuable at least they make a good conversational piece. I'll have a look at eBay to get an idea of the tubular landscape.
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11th Apr 2017, 8:28 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,637
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Re: Valves, Valves, And More Vacuum Tubey Goodness
Check the sold listings, not the sometimes wishful thinking asking prices!
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