The Estate of David Hughes - On-Line Auction Sale

[jamesperrett]

Peaker Pattinson, who are more regularly known for their auctions of ex-BBC gear, have announced a sale that looks like it would be of interest to a few people on this forum.

https://www.ppauctions.com/auction/3...f-david-hughes

If you scroll down past the recording gear, you'll find a selection of test gear, components, hifi, a few radios and old domestic reel to reel recorders. There are a couple of oddities like Weir power supplies described as voltmeters but it looks interesting.

[Aub]

Who was David Hughes? I'm assuming it's not the man who invented the carbon microphone?

Aub

[paulsherwin]

Some nice stuff there. Just as well I don't live closer

Originally Posted by Aub

Who was David Hughes? I'm assuming it's not the man who invented the carbon microphone?

I suspect it may be this chap: https://rip-deathnotice.com/david-hu...y-passed-away/

[Aub]

Thanks Paul. Yes, that seems likely doesn't it.

Aub

[Radio Wrangler]

Looking through the auction listing, don't bid on the Nikon cameras without checking first. Some of them have quoted model numbers of 'F' followed by a number, but are described as digital camera. All the F-series were film cameras (F for the initial of the designer of the first of the series, not for film, that was a coincidence.) Their digital cameras are D then digits. So either the F is right and it's not digital, or else the prefix letter of the number is wrong. Both the D and F models are SLRs, but only the D are DSLRs. Nikon's newest cameras with a larger lens mount on a mirrorless body are Z then digits.

David

[paulsherwin]

This is typical of auctioneers - not that they're being deliberately dishonest, but they just don't know much about what they're selling. Whoever appraised these cameras is likely to be in their 20s and unaware of the terminology involved. 'Digital' probably just means that the cameras have some sort of LCD display.

None of the items seem to have been properly appraised - they've all just been listed with a nominal £10 start.

[Wellertcp]

Yes, this is typical of auctioneers; they think that items that aren't in their 'line' (basically 'antiquey' stuff) aren't worth anything.
For the record, that comment is not aimed at the auctioneers who are the subject of this thread.

But I have had experience of it; whilst helping clear an uncle's house. The auctioneers (who shall remain nameless) said that all of his Myford lathes (several) and top-end metalworking tools were 'worthless scrap'
In the end a private sale was arranged for several thousand.

My uncle was an aerospace engineer of the highest calibre who spent his entire working life employed by the MoD.

[Vintage Engr]

I wish someone would tell the auctioneers where NOT to stick their Lot Number labels...

Some items of the test gear have very thin, membrane-thickness plastic over the display readout etc. I have quite a few pieces of kit here that were perfectly O.K. before they went to auction!

David.

[Oldtestgear]

Peaker Pattinson start all their auctions at £10. Most lots go for much more than the start price. Those that do not are generally swept up by people who will literally buy anything & everything on the basis that they will make a profit overall. Plus it has the advantage that the auctioneers do not end up with lots that they have to dispose of.

I must admit that I have not bought much from them in recent years as the typical selling prices are even higher than on eBay for test gear & similar. No guarantee that anything you buy will be complete or work. Of course that is the fun of buying at auction. Years ago they used to sell large lots, not individual items, which greatly increased the chance of a real bargain.

[Michael Maurice]

Does anyone know if that was the David Hughes of Luton who sells tape recorder repair kits?

[Reelman]

Originally Posted by Michael Maurice

Does anyone know if that was the David Hughes of Luton who sells tape recorder repair kits?

Good point Michael, I’ve just written to our Dave Hughes to ask if he still supplies spares.

Peter

[Nickthedentist]

His eBay site seems dead:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bigdave-h

[DMcMahon]

I missed this thread until now, some very interesting items on the catalogue, would have been tempted to bid on some but too late now as auction has completed.

David

[Michael Maurice]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

His eBay site seems dead:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bigdave-h

He stopped selling the kits on EBay ages ago.

[Reelman]

As at this point I have not received a reply from David, if I do I will mention it here.

Peter

[Reelman]

My email to David has been returned so doesn’t look too good……

We tried to deliver your message multiple times over a few days; however, the person's destination email provider has not been reachable or has not accepted this message. We have stopped trying to deliver this message. Please check with the person you are trying to send to that they can still receive emails at this address.

Of course he could have changed his email.

Peter

[Michael Maurice]

His phone number (landline) has been discontinued.