- Can the Webmaster of this site provide more information than
is already presented (on this site)?
No. No, because I don't have enough time to answer all of the requests
that I get. I hope you understand.
- What is my Crosley radio worth?
Value is relative to many factors, including condition, whether or
not the radio plays, where you are selling it, whether or not you
are willing to ship it, and many others. There are several ways you
can find the value of your Crosley yourself.
One way is to purchase a price guide, such as "Collector's Guide to
Antique Radios, Fifth Edition." There are other guides as well, but
be aware that all of them are "opinions," and as such are
not completely accurate. After getting the price guide estimate, answer
the following questions to determine if your Crosley is worth more
or less:
1. Is the finish of the radio cabinet original, or has it been refinished?
A cabinet with an original finish is worth more, even if the finish
is not perfect. Destroy the patina and other characteristics that
give it character, and you destroy value. Some touching up is acceptable,
but do as little as possible. Painted radio cabinets with an occasional
nick or scratch are expected.
2. Are all parts of the cabinet complete? If parts of the cabinet
trim are missing or if they are damaged, the set is worth less. If
the cabinet originally contained a back, it should be present and
in good condition. Are all original labels present and in good condition?
3. Are the knobs original and in good condition? Knobs are very important.
A knowledgeable collector will spot wrong or damaged knobs instantly.
4. Is the chassis rust free and completely original? If the chassis
is rust covered, it is worth less. If it has been visibly modified,
it is worth less. Soldering new capacitors under the chassis where
they can not be seen does not affect the value, although disguising
new capacitors to resemble original capacitors, even under the chassis,
is more desirable. Many collectors scoop out the old capacitors, and
place new capacitors inside to maintain the appearance of even the
underside of the chassis.
5. Is the speaker original and in good condition? Is the cone original
and in good condition? If the cone has been replaced, has care been
taken to maintain the original appearance? Is the speaker frame rusty?
Are any labels that originally came on the speaker frame present?
6. Does the radio play well across the entire dial? Playing means
more than hummmmmm. It means that stations can be tuned in clearly
across at least most of the dial, and preferably across the entire
dial. If the radio is a multi band radio, do all bands play equally
well?
Start with the price guide estimate. If all of the answers to the
above questions are positive, then your Crosley might be worth more
than the estimated value. Negative answers indicate that the value
might well be less.
A second way to determine value is to attend an antique radio swap
meet or two.
A third way would be to visit the Antique Radio Classified web site
and request a complimentary copy of their publication; when it arrives,
you will have hundreds of "For Sale" ads to browse through, and most
of them list prices.
Radios sold in the northeast and on the west coast generally sell
for more.
Radios sold on line generally sell for more, especially if several
people get into a bidding war. The disadvantage here is that you will
have to be prepared to pack and ship the set.
- How do I start the restoration of my Crosley radio?
If you have no experience, put the radio up for a while, and find
the nearest antique radio collectors club. A list of clubs is posted
on the Antique Radio Classified web site.
If there is no club near to you, find an experienced technician that
can fix it for you.
If you are bound and determined to fix it yourself, even though you
have no experience, purchase a repair guide, and take your time.
- What is the best way to get original Crosley parts, such as
knobs, a chassis or speaker, etc. from another collector?
The only way is to have something that the collector wants, and to
offer to trade. Seasoned collectors, such as myself, will not sell
parts. You can understand most collectors' refusing to sell original
parts when you consider the time, effort and expense it takes to find
them; and the low prices that most people want to pay.
- Where can I purchase reproduction grill cloth or NOS parts?
Antique Electronic Supply is a great place to begin. There are also
many other sources. Check the "Just Links" section of this site; for
even more links, visit the Antique Radio Classified site.
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