Early TV auction at Bonhams - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ppppenguin · 2nd Sep 2009, 1:11 pm

Many of you will already know that Michael Bennett-Levy's collection of early TVs and related items will be sold on 30th Septmeber at Bonhams, Knightsbridge. If you have Bennett-Levy's books, (TV is King and its sequel) you will be familiar with what is being sold.

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...&iSaleNo=17616

The online catalogue is not yet available. I have it on good authority that Bonhams have made a generous gesture regarding the printed catalogue. It will be available from the Vintage Wireless Museum at a discounted price (about £20) with all proceeds going to Museum funds. The catalogue, in the usual glossy style of the major auction houses, will undoubtedly become an invaluable reference for those interested in the subject. More news when it's available.

Nickthedentist · 2nd Sep 2009, 2:34 pm

See http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/fe...rre.5270960.jp

Michael Maurice · 5th Sep 2009, 12:13 pm

Just having a look at the online catalogue, this looks rather like a ferrograph and not a swedish wire recorder!

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...eNo=17616&iSal

Michael Maurice · 5th Sep 2009, 12:26 pm

Having looked through the online auction, there some very very interesting pieces.

Now all I have to do before 30th September is to win the jackpot on the lottery, preferably the Euromillions..........

peter_scott · 5th Sep 2009, 2:01 pm

Some fabulous stuff there. The Cossor 137T gets a very high valuation (£10k to £15k) and is stated to be "the world's first commercial high-definition electronic television," I wonder how Marconi-EMI lost that race given that they were responsible for the 405 line standard.

Peter

brianc · 6th Sep 2009, 11:03 am

Some of the valuations seem a bit high, especially some of the books, but the more common pre-war TVs are valued, in my opinion, a bit on the low side - the 905 and the 54, for example.
Cheers
Brian.

dave walsh · 6th Sep 2009, 1:14 pm

Regardless of piggy bank size or ability to access the auction, the best bargain available is likely to be the paper catalogue " an invaluable reference" as flagged up by Jeffrey at the top of the thread. I'll definetely be interested when they are available. Dave W

ianm · 26th Sep 2009, 7:23 am

There's an article at the BBC News web site about this today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8275483.stm

ppppenguin · 26th Sep 2009, 7:38 am

I wonder where they get the figure of 500 sets from. Maybe that includes early post-war sets. For pre-war sets we know of about 200 and a few are still emerging. Difficult to see it going above 250.

Another possibility is that it covers US sets as well as UK. Pre-war over there means up to 1941.

I'll be at the viewing on Sunday and the sale itself. If you are interested in the CRTs (aka bombs

) these can only be viewed by appointment at Bonhams warehouse. They were advised to keep them out of harms way - can you imagine if one imploded in a busy room.

reelguy · 26th Sep 2009, 9:46 am

Just had a quick look at the online catalogue of Bonhams.
Thanks to "ianm"..
click on Bonhams internet link.
Very interesting collection of vintage stuff.
Was this collection ever on view to the public ?.
It will be a pity to split it up but you would need a very big building to house everything..
I even remember some of these items in my youth

.
Peter W...........Reelguy.
PS, Ferrograph. Swedish!!!

brianc · 29th Sep 2009, 8:54 pm

Following Peter's comment about splitting up the pre-war TV collection, I notice that all the lots in the pre-war section will be initially offered as one lot. Only if the reserve is not met, will they be offered as individual lots! So be warned - if you are travelling to London for the auction to bid for any pre-war lots, you may not get the chance. The same applies to the paper archive.
Cheers
Brian

murphyv310 · 29th Sep 2009, 9:16 pm

Hi.
Not to sound as a killjoy I would look very carefully before parting with well earned cash.
MBL has a lot of sets that are not complete or fitted with non original chassis, and many are not in good condition. I have this info that was passed to me in good faith and have no reason to doubt it.
I am sorry mods if this has stepped over the mark but I dont wish anyone to go away with their hands burned.
Cheers
Trevor

PS, I wonder though how much will go abroad?

peter_scott · 30th Sep 2009, 7:01 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelguy

Was this collection ever on view to the public ?.

Yes, MBL did hold an exhibition in Edinburgh about 15 years ago entitled "TV is King" and he published a book that catalogued the exhibition.

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Bo...n%3Dtelevision

The book is worth about £10 so I can't understand the second hand prices.

Peter

HamishBoxer · 30th Sep 2009, 12:12 pm

I agree Peter,i have this book and dont think anywhere near that value.Though would be nice!

David

jamesinnewcastl · 30th Sep 2009, 12:56 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8281527.stm

Very interesting!

James

ppppenguin · 30th Sep 2009, 9:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_scott

The book is worth about £10 so I can't understand the second hand prices.

Copies of both MBL's books were being given away for free at the auction today. I understand that a quantity will be going to the Vintage Wireless Musuem where they will be available for a donation to musuem funds.

More news on the auction later.

murphyv310 · 30th Sep 2009, 9:36 pm

Hi.
Some strange prices a Sony KV1330UB for £1140, a Perdio Portarama for £696, compare the Bush TV22 & TV12. Some items didn't sell the Decca 1000 for instance whereas its rarer cousin went for BIG money.
All very strange, one positive thing though, the value of private collections must have risen today, I am ordering a new Merc tomorrow

Cheers
Trevor

PS How about the "Black Book" Amazing

Sean Williams · 30th Sep 2009, 10:46 pm

Two words......

What Recession?

I am completeley dumbfounded seeing the prices some of this stuff raised - amazing!

ppppenguin · 1st Oct 2009, 7:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphyv310

PS How about the "Black Book" Amazing

All the pre-war literature including the "black book" was sold as a single lot. Most of the stuff was unique - makes a black book look like common stuff. This was bought back as a single lot by MBL for £100K! Apparently he decided he wanted to keep this and it was too late to withdraw from sale. Vigorous bidding between a phone bidder and MBL's personal representative in the room reached £100K. This exercise cost him £20000+VAT in buyers premium.

ppppenguin · 1st Oct 2009, 8:18 am

The full results of the auction are on the Bonhams website. http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...&iSaleNo=17616

Please note that the results for the literature collection are not a good representation of what actually happened. A notional price (usually £1800) has been placed against each lot rather than noting the collective £100K price for all of them.

There are a few unsold lots such as the Ambassador corner cabinet TV. Would be worth contacting Laurence Fisher at Bonhams if you are interested since you may well get a bargain if the lots were offered without reserve.

2nd Sep 2009, 1:11 pm	#1
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Early TV auction at Bonhams Many of you will already know that Michael Bennett-Levy's collection of early TVs and related items will be sold on 30th Septmeber at Bonhams, Knightsbridge. If you have Bennett-Levy's books, (TV is King and its sequel) you will be familiar with what is being sold. http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...&iSaleNo=17616 The online catalogue is not yet available. I have it on good authority that Bonhams have made a generous gesture regarding the printed catalogue. It will be available from the Vintage Wireless Museum at a discounted price (about £20) with all proceeds going to Museum funds. The catalogue, in the usual glossy style of the major auction houses, will undoubtedly become an invaluable reference for those interested in the subject. More news when it's available.

2nd Sep 2009, 2:34 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams See http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/fe...rre.5270960.jp

5th Sep 2009, 12:13 pm	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Just having a look at the online catalogue, this looks rather like a ferrograph and not a swedish wire recorder! http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...eNo=17616&iSal

5th Sep 2009, 12:26 pm	#4
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Having looked through the online auction, there some very very interesting pieces. Now all I have to do before 30th September is to win the jackpot on the lottery, preferably the Euromillions..........

5th Sep 2009, 2:01 pm	#5
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Some fabulous stuff there. The Cossor 137T gets a very high valuation (£10k to £15k) and is stated to be "the world's first commercial high-definition electronic television," I wonder how Marconi-EMI lost that race given that they were responsible for the 405 line standard. Peter __________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterScott/videos Last edited by peter_scott; 5th Sep 2009 at 2:29 pm.

6th Sep 2009, 11:03 am	#6
brianc Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire, UK, Posts: 1,055	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Some of the valuations seem a bit high, especially some of the books, but the more common pre-war TVs are valued, in my opinion, a bit on the low side - the 905 and the 54, for example. Cheers Brian.

6th Sep 2009, 1:14 pm	#7
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Regardless of piggy bank size or ability to access the auction, the best bargain available is likely to be the paper catalogue " an invaluable reference" as flagged up by Jeffrey at the top of the thread. I'll definetely be interested when they are available. Dave W

26th Sep 2009, 7:23 am	#8
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 341	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams There's an article at the BBC News web site about this today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8275483.stm __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

26th Sep 2009, 7:38 am	#9
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams I wonder where they get the figure of 500 sets from. Maybe that includes early post-war sets. For pre-war sets we know of about 200 and a few are still emerging. Difficult to see it going above 250. Another possibility is that it covers US sets as well as UK. Pre-war over there means up to 1941. I'll be at the viewing on Sunday and the sale itself. If you are interested in the CRTs (aka bombs) these can only be viewed by appointment at Bonhams warehouse. They were advised to keep them out of harms way - can you imagine if one imploded in a busy room.

26th Sep 2009, 9:46 am	#10
reelguy Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 746	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Just had a quick look at the online catalogue of Bonhams. Thanks to "ianm".. click on Bonhams internet link. Very interesting collection of vintage stuff. Was this collection ever on view to the public ?. It will be a pity to split it up but you would need a very big building to house everything.. I even remember some of these items in my youth. Peter W...........Reelguy. PS, Ferrograph. Swedish!!!

29th Sep 2009, 8:54 pm	#11
brianc Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire, UK, Posts: 1,055	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Following Peter's comment about splitting up the pre-war TV collection, I notice that all the lots in the pre-war section will be initially offered as one lot. Only if the reserve is not met, will they be offered as individual lots! So be warned - if you are travelling to London for the auction to bid for any pre-war lots, you may not get the chance. The same applies to the paper archive. Cheers Brian

29th Sep 2009, 9:16 pm	#12
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,421	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Hi. Not to sound as a killjoy I would look very carefully before parting with well earned cash. MBL has a lot of sets that are not complete or fitted with non original chassis, and many are not in good condition. I have this info that was passed to me in good faith and have no reason to doubt it. I am sorry mods if this has stepped over the mark but I dont wish anyone to go away with their hands burned. Cheers Trevor PS, I wonder though how much will go abroad? __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member Last edited by murphyv310; 29th Sep 2009 at 9:23 pm. Reason: Added another sentence

30th Sep 2009, 12:12 pm	#14
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams I agree Peter,i have this book and dont think anywhere near that value.Though would be nice! David

30th Sep 2009, 12:56 pm	#15
jamesinnewcastl Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 722	Collector Sells Old TV Collection + More http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8281527.stm Very interesting! James

30th Sep 2009, 9:36 pm	#17
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,421	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Hi. Some strange prices a Sony KV1330UB for £1140, a Perdio Portarama for £696, compare the Bush TV22 & TV12. Some items didn't sell the Decca 1000 for instance whereas its rarer cousin went for BIG money. All very strange, one positive thing though, the value of private collections must have risen today, I am ordering a new Merc tomorrow Cheers Trevor PS How about the "Black Book" Amazing __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

30th Sep 2009, 10:46 pm	#18
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams Two words...... What Recession? I am completeley dumbfounded seeing the prices some of this stuff raised - amazing! __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

1st Oct 2009, 8:18 am	#20
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Early TV auction at Bonhams The full results of the auction are on the Bonhams website. http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...&iSaleNo=17616 Please note that the results for the literature collection are not a good representation of what actually happened. A notional price (usually £1800) has been placed against each lot rather than noting the collective £100K price for all of them. There are a few unsold lots such as the Ambassador corner cabinet TV. Would be worth contacting Laurence Fisher at Bonhams if you are interested since you may well get a bargain if the lots were offered without reserve.