Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

At Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall, SN4 8EN on Sunday 11th February we'll be holding an auction-only event.
Approx. 400 lots comprising vintage radio, television, communications, audio, test gear, valves, components, books, magazines, ephemera, etc. will be going under the hammer. Hall open for viewing at 9am, auction to start at 10.30am. Hot and cold refreshments are available throughout the day and we will take a break for lunch. There will not be any stalls or bring and buy table at this event, there simply isn't room!

For location and directions, see: https://www.bvws.org.uk/events/locations.php

If you haven't yet renewed your BVWS membership for 2018, you'll need to do so to gain entry to the event and also to obtain a bidding card, so visit: https://membership.bvws.org.uk
Please do so in advance to save time on the day, as you will be unable to renew and thus obtain a bidding card once the auction starts......

Valid members may bring a visitor (who is not otherwise a past member). Only valid members may bid, however visitors can join the Society on the morning (and subsequently be valid to bid) but before 10am please at the auction table.

(Sorry to go heavy handed with the rule book but there's often one or two who try and take advantage, which is unfair on the law abiding majority)

An auction list will be published a little nearer the time.

Look forward to seeing you there, I do know there's an amazing line up of kit going to be on offer...

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Greg, have the renewed membership cards for 2018 been sent out? I sent mine in by post before Christmas, so need to know it's been received and if I will be a member on the 11th! You probably don't want to be flooded with such requests, so be good to know when they are likely to be processed. Thanks for all your efforts.
Tony

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Greg, I'm away till end of March so won't attend but it has jogged my memory that I have not renewed nor can I from here I suppose.
Is there a way I can renew on line, don't want to miss an issue of the Bulletin?

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

You can renew your membership quickly and easily online by debit/credit card or PayPal: https://membership.bvws.org.uk

Membership cards will be sent out in one swoop, directly from the printers later in February, giving everyone good time to renew.

We'll check names against the database for this event, as no one will have a membership card at this stage.....

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Ah, I won't have the number from the winter issue! Is there a way around this please?
Sam.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

I've PM'd you Sam..

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

He's a grand chap that Greg.
Thanks,
Sam.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

My membership lapsed some time ago and this prompted me to consider rejoining but I was puzzled to read 'Choosing three year membership gives you a discount of £3' yet the prices don't reflect that.

I thought maybe the discount would be applied at checkout but that wasn't the case so for the time being I abandoned the application.

Alvin

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Apologies Alvin, that line is carried over from the old pricing system and needs to be removed.
But the good news is as we are no longer able to charge for card payments costs, there's one set price now whether paying by cheque, card or PayPal.

So a 3 year renewal (UK) paying by card costs £87 whereas it was £92 previously, saving a whole crisp fiver! And if you renew for 3 years, you avoid any price increase within that term.

A 1 year renewal (UK) paying by card is £29, previously it was £31.

We've tried to simplify things as much as possible, the old system was confusing with too may variations...

Hope this helps!

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Oops, now removed. Sorry for any confusion.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

First let me say I am not criticising anyone in this post I know all those involved and just how hard they work. (especially Mike B)

The problem is especially with special auctions that I am being asked to set aside a Sunday without knowing if there is anything of interest untill only a few days before the date (4 days and counting).

I have had to miss the last few special auctions for that very reason.

I have no idea how that might be changed but its very likely I have to pass on this one as well. (Eldest Son moving house).

My life is pretty full almost every weekend planned 12 months in advance. disrupting that without knowing whats on offer is not going to happen sorry to say.

Cheers

Mike T

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Mike,

I am afraid an auction catalogue 12 months in advance is just not possible! (tongue in cheek)

I have to fit the activities of lotting up the items with the weather, storage space, van availability and when we can get out to pick the stuff up which usually means trying not to store it for any longer than we need to.
This all gets fitted in with trying to earn a living.
I may look old enough to be drawing a retirement pension, probably due to my years of BVWS activities, but I have a lot of years to go until then so have to work, albeit from home.

How long ahead of an event would you need ?

To all reading this post:
It should be borne in mind that the BVWS is not a commercial organisation and all money raised goes into the membership pot.
Also unlike other organisations that charge a fee for an Auction catalogue the BVWS is FREE and the catalogue is made public as are the auction results and I can see that there would be a clear reason to expect that a paid service should be delivered in a certain timescale but this is volunteer work.

I usually aim to get the catalogue and pictures available about a week ahead but the weather has been awful and cold and I do all photography outside so this is a bad time of year for it.

However I think your family should always come first. You can always send me a commission bid for anything you really want .

All the best,

Mike...

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

I should also add that I am aiming to get the Auction catalogue and pictures off to Paul to add to the BVWS website sometime tomorrow.

Mike...

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

I would also highlight another difference between BVWS auctions and most auction houses I know, which is that there is no "buyer's premium" on top of the hammer price - what you bid is what you pay - and the seller's premium is the lowest I've ever encountered! No doubt this is only achieveable owing to the enormous amount of work put in by those such as Mike - with no financial reward.

Yes, it's difficult to justify setting aside a weekend (which I need to owing to the distance I have to travel) on the offchance that there will be something to bid upon when I get there, but sometimes I look upon it as also an opportunity to meet up with other enthusiasts and may or may not end up with acquisitions at the end of it - after all, even if there is something I really want in the auction, there's no guarantee I'll be the successful bidder.

As Mike says, there is always the option of absentee bidding if one can't get to the sale.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

I guess there are always limits in life, and it can be frustrating. We all have to recognise our limits. Distance, time, energy and space for stuff! But these are astonishingly good auctions. There is nowhere else I know where there is so much available, of items you just do not see elsewhere in such abundance, for such reasonable prices. This is largely because of the unpaid efforts of the people who make it possible.
Tony

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

The catalogue and some photos are now available on the BVWS website here:

https://www.bvws.org.uk/auctions/pho...ootton-bassett

The catalogue is also attached.

There are not the usual number of pictures this time as Mike did not had time or the weather to do everything, but the main goodies are shown.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

This seems a good time to say thank you very much to Mike B and Jim for all the time and effort they give to the BVWS working behind the scenes and 'on the day' in support of the society auctions. I guess they both give far more of their "free" time to the BVWS than most members would ever imagine.
I believe all of us who attend the auctions appreciate their non-commercial nature, long may it continue.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

If you don't have a huge collection and or you don't collect a particular brand then yes the BVWS auctions are always a fantastic source and well worth the investment in time whatever is availabe.

Just to reiterate No critisism of hard working volunteers especially Mike Barker.

But when you have been collecting for 45 years and concentrating on a particular brand :shrug:

I am releived that the auction list doesn't seem to contain anything of particular interest to me.

When you already have more than 600 sets you do get a bit more focused.

Cheers

Mike T

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

This thread raises a few questions -

1/ Just how old is Mike Barker then?

2/ How does Mike T get away with having more than 600 sets?

3/ Mike T - what shall I do with this bottle of rioja? (I will check it ages OK ;D )

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

1/ See https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/member.php?u=511 :thumbsup:

2/ Yes I'm sure many of us would like to know that! ???

3/ Drink it? :beer:

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

2/ Who says I get away with it :thumbsup: It was our 37th wedding anniversary yesterday and it seems the secret of a long and happy marriage is to live appart for most of the time ;)

Around 200 or so of the sets are in my weekday residence in Poole.

I do have a plan to reduce the numbers by around 250 or so in the next 5 years by passing on duplicates and having a strict cut-off date probably 1960 I have reduced the numbers by 50 in the last couple of years only to replace them with a similar number DOH! :dunce:

Unfortunately it seems I won't be able to attend however I hope everyone has a great time and fill their boots :thumbsup:

Cheers

Mike T

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Updated catalogue attached and on the BVWS website. Info from Mike:

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Hi I also don't seem to be able to locate my membership number if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Hi Simon

Let me have your full name and postcode by private message and I'll message you back with your membership number later on this evening.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Another way of locating your membership number if you have bought at auction before and kept your invoices is to look at the bottom of an invoice.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Thanks Greg and Dave. I did a bit of digging last night and found my membership number and have now renewed my memebership.
I hope to be there on Sunday.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

If anyone can't renew online for any reason, you can do so on the day. Please try to arrive early (doors open at 9am) and renew straight away, just to avoid holding up people collecting bidding cards closer to the auction start time (10:30am).

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

It was a good day, I came back with a couple of nice items including a Murphy 405 line television and a Bush VHF41 which is of interest to me as one of the first VHF sets to be produced.

I was surprised that the RGD Model 930 console receiver at the end of the auction did not sell. It looked a really nice set and would have sounded good with P-P triode output. I was very tempted and would have defiantly bid on it myself although by then I would not have had the space in the car for it to fit :D. I wander if it is still available as I could easily find some space for it here!!.

Christopher Capener

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

The RGD console didn't make reserve at auction, however someone had second thoughts afterwards and bought it, so it has found a new home...

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Christopher, I agree, an excellent auction, as always. As I drove out of the car park, I saw you struggling with a radio, it must have been heavy, and I felt a little guilty for not offering to help you!

The only slightly annoying thing today, was the actions of a rude man who was determined to repeatedly push his way through people lining up, patiently waiting to pay, in order to gather up his many boxes of valves. Manners cost nothing and require little effort. I understand that, allegedly, he is not even a BVWS member, and uses a friends membership to allow him to bid.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the day. Unfortunately, the Pye D16 Tv went for a lot more than my piggy bank could afford��

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Oh well... At least I don't now need to find a reason to tell SWMBO on why it turned up!!

I was interested in the D16T as well though it went higher than I could really justify. The cabinet was excellent though.

I am already looking at the peculiar EMI scope thing with voltmeter on the front bought for £5 on the BVWS stall. Remarkably dirty ;D

I too was forced out of the way by the said valve man with the 17" Murphy telly through the entrance hall. I noticed he parked hic car right by the entrance as well. Its a pity that this rotten apple attends all the BVWS and Radiophile auctions and hoovers all the valves up!!

Christopher Capener

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Its probably one of these:

http://www.thevalvepage.com/testeq/e...e/emiscope.htm

There were a few versions but look similar .

Cheers

Mike T

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Yes indeed, it was a very good auction, I was especially pleased with the GED BC5045L Export Set that managed to get.

As an aside, the gentleman with the valves is a BVWS member.

Once again many that to Mike, Greg and the rest of the team for making it such an enjoyable day.:D

Trevor.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Indeed it was a good day and I spent far too much! I came away with an early Sony colour set, a few Roberts sets plus some other transistor sets!

Cheers

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

I had a great day and would like to thank everyone who helped organise the event.
I came away with a few bargains which I am pleased with. it's a fair old run from Peterborough not helped by the fact that the powers that be had shut the A604 Oundle road between Peterborough and Thrapston which means we had to go down the A1 through more road works and a 40mph speed limit for miles..:angry:
why they decide to do major works on all routes at the same time I really can't understand. I think we should be able to claim a partial refund on the road tax when they cause delays like this.. But then again mine is only £30 a year..
I was also annoyed by the selfish person who parked right in the middle of the entrance road where the line of cones were and then opened the doors on his car just to make it really difficult for everyone else to get past.
Judging by the comments I heard I was not the only person who was inconvenienced by him.
I'm not sure it was the same person who bought all the valves though.
I am not going to comment further on him...:-)
It's the usual story. while most members are really nice people there are always a few that are bad apples.
I am looking forward to sorting through the stuff I bought it should keep me out of mischief for a while.
:thumbsup:
Rich.

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

I had an interesting day and came away with more than I intended. Really chuffed with the Marconi 264A ( https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_264.html ) that I got from the side stall- I've wanted one just for its looks and this one's a cracker- much better than the RM one pictured. A similarly styled extension speaker in the auction also found its way home with me.

A box of assorted trannies was actually four ITT models including a very interesting Schaub Lorenz "Touring International" one with a sound easily up there with a good Hacker! The newest one (a Polo S "IC Technic") didn't work but hey....

The early Invicta "crossover" set (attache case transistor portable) also snuck into my pile- I've got a similar slightly later Marconi one to keep it company.

I took pity on the (not that) 'orrible Bush repro min tombstone. The case is a quite solid mix of MDF, chipboard, hardboard and even some wood (in the glued blocks for support). With a better loudspeaker than the crappy 3" one fitted and some attention to a crackly pot it'll do nicely as a shed/kitchen/garage sort of set.

Only downer was the plonker in the cut-price Chelsea Tractor that he couldn't manoeuvre properly who blocked the drive for everyone carrying stuff out whilst trying to get it down to the door. I suspect he was the same character mentioned above!

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Auction results are now online here:
https://www.bvws.org.uk/auctions/res...ootton-bassett

Re: Special Auction 11th Feb '18
 

Thanks Paul - I was unable to attend as my wife was very ill the night before. It's interesting and surprising to see how much some of the round (and the large) Ekcos made - maybe pictures don't always tell the story!
Cheers
Andy