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al2n
11-25-2010, 06:46 PM
We have an estate auction this weekend and up for bid is an old Minerva Tropic Master Radio. This is a WWII issue shortwave and AM radio issued as a moral booster to the troops.

The estate belonged to a gentleman who was a bombadier on B24's during the war. He has some really neat stuff up for auction the last few weeks and I am thinking of picking up this radio.

Anyone have an idea on the value of these things? It is in working order.

Been looking online and don't see much on them for sale. Lots of info, few sellers.

WØTKX
11-25-2010, 06:55 PM
What a cool find!

http://radioattic.com/item_sold.htm?radio=0027091

Sold by Steve Tardi
Reported sold on April 23, 2007
Listed price on date of sale - $485.00

http://radioattic.com/old/sold_radios_2007/Tardi_Minerva_Tropic_Master_%281945%29.jpghttp://radioattic.com/old/sold_radios_2007/Tardi_Minerva_Tropic_Master_%281945%29.jpghttp://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/%7Epostr/bapix/MinrvaTM.JPG

http://www.hallicrafters.net/MTM/

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/minerva_tropicmaster_w117.html

al2n
11-25-2010, 07:07 PM
Hmmm...

The way old radios have sold in the past I may be able to get this for a song unless there is a collector in the crowd. Most vintage radios go for cheap whenever we get one in.

kf0rt
11-25-2010, 08:21 PM
Cool stuff... I'd go for it if you can get it cheap. $485? Eh, not so much.

N8YX
11-26-2010, 03:35 PM
Go to the Electric Radio website and check in with the crowd over there. See what the consensus is re: the Tropic Master.

w0aew
11-26-2010, 05:43 PM
Here's my Echophone (Hallicrafters-made), supposedly for a similar purpose...morale radio for the troops during ww2.

3626

WØTKX
11-26-2010, 09:43 PM
Yupper, and Zenith had the Transoceanic in many flavors...

al2n
11-28-2010, 10:28 PM
Had to fight off a couple collectors, but it is mine!

NQ6U
11-28-2010, 10:48 PM
Had to fight off a couple collectors, but it is mine!

Congrats! Hope you got a good deal.

KG4CGC
11-28-2010, 10:50 PM
Had to fight off a couple collectors, but it is mine!
Very w00t!

al2n
11-28-2010, 10:51 PM
Congrats! Hope you got a good deal.

50 bucks.

WØTKX
11-28-2010, 10:57 PM
You scored a treasure for a pittance. Congrats.

NQ6U
11-28-2010, 10:57 PM
50 bucks.

Right on, Daddy-O--great deal!

N5RLR
11-28-2010, 11:18 PM
Here's my Echophone (Hallicrafters-made),[click] (http://forums.hamisland.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=3626&d=1290811303) supposedly for a similar purpose...morale radio for the troops during ww2.
Yep, Private [later Corporal] Hogarth may have "gotten some" because of it:

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/%7Epostr/bapix/Echo43Ad.JPG

Good on scoring the Tropic Master for $50. :-D

w2amr
11-29-2010, 02:46 PM
Had to fight off a couple collectors, but it is mine!
Great get, congrats.

KC2UGV
11-29-2010, 02:47 PM
50 bucks.

Congrats on the find! I've been finding myself hunting down vintage-type radio sets as of late too. I have no idea where this came from either :lol:

al2n
11-29-2010, 06:34 PM
Now comes the hard part.....keeping it.

My wife found out how much it is worth and was asking if I could sell it and get the girls something nice for Christmas.

Thing is now that I am actually thinking about it. Darn woman knows my soft spots!

N5RLR
11-29-2010, 09:16 PM
You could always say that you're starting a vintage-radio museum, a la Pat, 'MHZ. :stirpot:

KG4CGC
11-29-2010, 10:14 PM
Now comes the hard part.....keeping it.

My wife found out how much it is worth and was asking if I could sell it and get the girls something nice for Christmas.

Thing is now that I am actually thinking about it. Darn woman knows my soft spots!
It was nice while it lasted. I wish you the best of luck! May you profit handsomely!

al2n
11-29-2010, 10:50 PM
Anyone want to trade for a PS3?

WØTKX
11-30-2010, 02:01 AM
:rofl:

Not the Xbox 360 with the Kinect gizmo?

al2n
12-01-2010, 02:48 PM
:rofl:

Not the Xbox 360 with the Kinect gizmo?

Actually my daughters corrected me. They do want a 360 and not a PS3. :lol: