P3D Re: Stereoview collecting

["Greg Wageman" <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

From: bob Wier <wier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


>>They still make vacuum tubes.  :-)
>
>Being a ham and keeping track of such things for my older Heath
>equipment, I dont *think* there are any manufacturers for vacuum
>tubes left in the USA outside of specialized, esoteric transmitter
>tubes (and of course TV/Monitor picture tubes). Prices for NOS (new
>old stock) tubes are rising fairly rapidly as they get scarce, and
>are further driven by audio buffs who like the tube sound as opposed
>to semi-conductors (occasionally to outrageous prices, especially on
>e-bay).


Russia and China both still manufacture vacuum tubes.  Check out any
major musician's catalog.  Guitar players are very fond of the sound of
tube amps.  For example, the "Musician's Friend" catalog lists the
following brands/countries of manufacture: "Groove Tubes" (China),
"Sovtek" (Russia), "Svetlana Electron Devices" (Russia).  A 12AX7A will
set you back around $9, and a matched pair of 6L6's around $30.

Welcome to the global economy of niche markets! :-)

>Having just returned from my convention in California, I was doing
>some looking in antique stores in the mountain west, and basically
there
>are no remaining "real photo" view cards. There are some lithos (which
>I don't collect). One fellow said that recently someone had stopped
>in and bought everything he had (a couple of thousand cards). I can
only
>think (since there apparently was no interest in a specific subject
and/or
>photographer) that they are going to be auctioned in drips and dabs
>on e-bay...


The local antique stores in the Niles district of Fremont (CA) still get
"real photo" cards in periodically.  However, it is common to be told
that "someone was just in and bought everything we had".  I think a
common collector's modus operandi is to buy every non-litho view in a
store, pick out the keepers, and then sell the remainder at a profit.
If you do this successfully, you end up adding to your own collection at
a relatively low cost, especially if you are selective.

I've also been amazed at the widely-varied reaction asking for
"stereoviews" produces in antique stores.  Everything from knowing
recognition to a blank stare.  If you try to explain verbally, often you
are shown to a ViewMaster viewer!  Bringing an actual card to show has
proven useful.  It's a mixed bag as to whether the less-knowledgeable
store owner's prices will be higher or lower, however.  We've found some
bargains that way, but as often as not they will price litho views at
the same outrageous prices as their (common) real photo cards.  Some
have obviously been coached by their fellows enough to know that certain
subjects are worth more (e.g. Indian views).

     -Greg W. (gjw@xxxxxxxxxx)




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