1920's Cossor Melody Maker - value and restoration? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

RADIO · 21st Nov 2007, 5:40 pm

Aerodyne · 21st Nov 2007, 6:13 pm

Restoration is certainly worth considering. The receiver looks to be complete. You would need to source power units - HT battery or eliminator, ditto LT wet cell and GB battery. Rewiring looks like it might be needed, especially in view of the age of the radio. Valves could need checking but may be working adequately. Finally you'd need a horn or cone loudspeaker. Unless you can do this kind of rebuild yourself, restoration is bound to be costly if correctly carried out by someone competent and caring and prepared to rebuild capacitors etc. As for present-state value, if it was mine I would be looking for several tens of £, but like anything vintage it is worth what someone is willing to pay and at auction, you only need two competitive bidders.
-Tony

paulsherwin · 21st Nov 2007, 6:13 pm

These things can be worth serious money if in original untouched condition - several hundred pounds. Restoration needs to be to a very high standard if it's not to detract from the value, so if you have no experience of radio restoration you should leave this well alone (I have lots of experience, and even I'd think twice).

The best way to get a realistic idea of the value is to keep an eye on the hammer prices of similar items on eBay.

Paul

Steve_P · 21st Nov 2007, 7:34 pm

Agreed, Paul.

A set like this is worth more as it is than restored badly. I would keep it warm and dry, maybe on display, and not do anything with it yourself.

Cheers,

Steve P.

Ed_Dinning · 21st Nov 2007, 8:12 pm

Hi, They are quite simple sets to work on and you should certainly be able to check the parts to see if they are functional. The main one to go is the intervalve transformer, but it can be re-wound. You cabinet looks in very good condition. Many of them have scratched on the crackle finish ( easily misted out with a fine spray of a suitable brown).
These sets were sold as kits so the build standard varies, but mormally nothing that cannot be corrected. I may have a copy of the instruction sheet somewhere.
They will also work with a modern speaker and output transformer.

Ed

Nickthedentist · 21st Nov 2007, 8:42 pm

If I were in your position, I'd leave well alone, and use it for display or sell it

If you sold it, you could use a tiny proportion of the proceeds to buy something which would be much easier to restore and be considerably more useful for day-to-day use. Just look on eBay to see what you could get for it, and what's available to buy for you to practice a bit of restoration on.

Nick.

RADIO · 21st Nov 2007, 9:46 pm

Well if Paul Sherwin is correct and it is worth in its £100's in its present form then I will sell it and put the money towards my vintage hi-fi collection.
I will take a look at various sites and get an idea.
Thanks for all your help.

paulsherwin · 21st Nov 2007, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by QUAD4EVER

Well if Paul Sherwin is correct and it is worth in its £100's in its present form then I will sell it and put the money towards my vintage hi-fi collection.

With this sort of equipment collectors are looking for examples in absolutely mint condition and will pay top dollar for them. A couple of scratches or a missing part can make a really huge difference. This looks to be a good example but it's impossible to be certain from photos.

Paul

Aerodyne · 22nd Nov 2007, 3:11 pm

I must say I'm surprised that the consensus on this thread is that Cossor kit sets are worth in the £100s, unrestored or not. I've always viewed them as 'bread and butter' jobs, only moderately valuable. Let us know what your searches bring to light - I'd be interested to know and I'm sure others here would be too. Don't be shocked if you find the value somewhat lower than you hoped for, though.
-Tony

paulsherwin · 22nd Nov 2007, 5:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerodyne

I must say I'm surprised that the consensus on this thread is that Cossor kit sets are worth in the £100s, unrestored or not. I've always viewed them as 'bread and butter' jobs, only moderately valuable.

I can remember one going for nearly £200 on eBay a while ago, but it was a real beauty and several people were bidding on it. Ultimately it's the luck of the draw.

Paul

21st Nov 2007, 5:40 pm	#1
RADIO Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bedford, Beds. UK. Posts: 127	1920's Cossor Melody Maker - value and restoration? I recently purchased this Cossor for a few pounds and I am torn between selling it or restoring it so it works (assuming this is possible?). Any ideas of value and also the cost involved to get it working would be very helpful please? Check out these photo links below.... http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1162.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1166.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1175.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1174.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1167.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1169.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1164.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1170.jpg http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/IMGP1172.jpg Last edited by Darren-UK; 1st Feb 2008 at 1:50 am.

21st Nov 2007, 6:13 pm	#2
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? Restoration is certainly worth considering. The receiver looks to be complete. You would need to source power units - HT battery or eliminator, ditto LT wet cell and GB battery. Rewiring looks like it might be needed, especially in view of the age of the radio. Valves could need checking but may be working adequately. Finally you'd need a horn or cone loudspeaker. Unless you can do this kind of rebuild yourself, restoration is bound to be costly if correctly carried out by someone competent and caring and prepared to rebuild capacitors etc. As for present-state value, if it was mine I would be looking for several tens of £, but like anything vintage it is worth what someone is willing to pay and at auction, you only need two competitive bidders. -Tony

21st Nov 2007, 6:13 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? These things can be worth serious money if in original untouched condition - several hundred pounds. Restoration needs to be to a very high standard if it's not to detract from the value, so if you have no experience of radio restoration you should leave this well alone (I have lots of experience, and even I'd think twice). The best way to get a realistic idea of the value is to keep an eye on the hammer prices of similar items on eBay. Paul

21st Nov 2007, 7:34 pm	#4
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? Agreed, Paul. A set like this is worth more as it is than restored badly. I would keep it warm and dry, maybe on display, and not do anything with it yourself. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

21st Nov 2007, 8:12 pm	#5
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? Hi, They are quite simple sets to work on and you should certainly be able to check the parts to see if they are functional. The main one to go is the intervalve transformer, but it can be re-wound. You cabinet looks in very good condition. Many of them have scratched on the crackle finish ( easily misted out with a fine spray of a suitable brown). These sets were sold as kits so the build standard varies, but mormally nothing that cannot be corrected. I may have a copy of the instruction sheet somewhere. They will also work with a modern speaker and output transformer. Ed

21st Nov 2007, 8:42 pm	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,865	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? If I were in your position, I'd leave well alone, and use it for display or sell it If you sold it, you could use a tiny proportion of the proceeds to buy something which would be much easier to restore and be considerably more useful for day-to-day use. Just look on eBay to see what you could get for it, and what's available to buy for you to practice a bit of restoration on. Nick.

21st Nov 2007, 9:46 pm	#7
RADIO Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bedford, Beds. UK. Posts: 127	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? Well if Paul Sherwin is correct and it is worth in its £100's in its present form then I will sell it and put the money towards my vintage hi-fi collection. I will take a look at various sites and get an idea. Thanks for all your help.

22nd Nov 2007, 3:11 pm	#9
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Cossor Melody Make- Any ideas on value and if it can be converted to use? I must say I'm surprised that the consensus on this thread is that Cossor kit sets are worth in the £100s, unrestored or not. I've always viewed them as 'bread and butter' jobs, only moderately valuable. Let us know what your searches bring to light - I'd be interested to know and I'm sure others here would be too. Don't be shocked if you find the value somewhat lower than you hoped for, though. -Tony