17 Nov
2002
17 Nov
'02
3:31 p.m.
John Galt wrote:
You said "Either chip collectors need to get a
grip on their misperceptions
of value, or vintage machine collectors need to greatly re-assess the values
of their operational hardware". I would suggest the later. I think that
given their historical significance, rare vintage computers are drastically
under valued. While values may go up and down over the short term, I
fully expect that over the long term, prices on rare vintage computers
are going to nowhere but up.
I would have to agree. Here at ACONIT we are about to transport a bunch
of our old machiens for an exhibition. Obviously there is the question
of insurance for which we need to value the machines.
For a working IBM 1130 we have set an insurance value of $50,000 (fifty
thousand) on the grounds that any damage which makes the machine
inoperable will probaly be irrepariable and the machine will become just
another inert museum exhibit.
A Micral-N, offered by another collection is valued by them at $15,000
even though it is not in working order and I suspect the components are
not unobtanium.
I have caluclated that our working PDP-9 is worth about $20,000 just
from the man-hours we have already put into it to get
it operating. Is
it worth that much or more? It is one of only 5 or 6 known to
exist and
I think it is is only one in operation.
Of course insurance value and actual market price are two different
things, and we had many a lively discussion about how to value the old
irreplaceable machines.
Exhibition details : Musee de Grenoble, Grenoble, France : Nov 22 to Dec
2 inclusive.
-- hbp