A single owner collection of over 250 radios created a huge amount of interest with buyers as far away as Japan, when they were offered at the Golding Young Lincoln auction on February 25th.
From an address in South Lincolnshire they had been collected over a generation and brought together some of the finest designs and best makers when the heyday for such pieces was formed in the 1930s and 1940s.
The fear pre sale was there may be too many of one thing, but the tremendous bidding wars from collectors all over the world highlighted the interest still shown in collecting vintage radios and the fact remains quirky items of high quality always sell whether you have 2 or two hundred!
The finest makers were present: Murphy, Philco, Mariner, HMV, Ekco and Ferranti to name but a few, with the latter of these topping the results at £400 for a seven valve example.
The Ekco pieces proved popular, with two circular Bakelite pieces running well into three figures and a number of other Bakelite pieces attracting the bidding attention from the major buyers in the United Kingdom and many more from overseas.
The far East was interested in a collection of valves in the sale and it must be remembered, these pieces were sold were design classics and engineering masterpieces, many with the innards still present.
There was a 99% sale rate (only one failed to find a new home) and the number of homes were high and varied in number.
Such things were never going to fetch thousands of pounds and they surprised us as to how many people remain interested in what are bygone pieces and it is wonderful to see that in a world full of DAB radio and Iphones, the humble radio still holds its own and is much sought after.
The challenge, of course is to find one in a varied colour of Bakelite. The only thing this collection missed was say a green Bakelite cover, we would be amazed if anyone reading this has one, but would be delighted to see it if you do!
