From time to time, individual collectors and groups (such as the Historical Radio Society of Australia and the New Zealand Vintage Radio Society) organise special functions for displaying vintage radio collections and other artefacts associated with vintage radio. This equipment now forms a valuable part of our radio history, the more so when additional information from the era is included.

Literature and signs and any other artefacts pertaining to the hobby all help to enhance any collection in an historical sense.

Why keep records?

Keeping records and other information about our vintage collections is an important part of the hobby. However, some collectors find that their interests change after a number of years and may therefore wish to dispose of their collection. Another likely scenario is that the collector may wish to move to a retirement village and may no longer have the necessary space to store vintage radios.

Plastic bags can be used to protect vintage radio sets when they are not in use or on display. Be sure to store them in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Obviously, all the hard work involved in putting a vintage radio collection together will come to nothing if it is just carted to the local rubbish tip when you can no longer accommodate it. And that would be a great shame.

An article in the NZVRS Bulletin for February 2002 by George Newlands titled "Some Ideas and Advice On The Disposal of a Collection" got me thinking about what will happen to my collection when I eventually move to a retirement village (or die). What would my kids do when I can no longer take an interest in my collection? They certainly don’t share my interest in vintage radio and I would hate to think that my collection would be taken to the tip because it is "just so much old junk"!

Recently, I saw the collection amassed by a (now deceased) hobbyist in South Australia and was asked to give an indication as to its value. Unfortunately, his wife had no idea where to turn for assistance in disposing of the collection. Her husband had died some time back and in the meantime, some so-called "helpers" had helped themselves to quite a few pieces of equipment, which left a nasty taste in the lady’s mouth.

Going from what is left, there must have been some quite valuable pieces in the collection which are now gone. And in some cases, the prices paid were so low as to be considered an insult. She has been offered $3000 for what’s left, which fills a shed around 15 metres square. However, just five items that I recognise are worth almost $3000 – never mind the rest of the gear!