15 Nov
2006
15 Nov
'06
4:44 p.m.
Fred Cisin wrote:
Keep in mind that there are a LOT of "new"
collectors, who don't really
know anything about those days. They've HEARD about Altair, they've HEARD
about Apple, they've HEARD about Compaq, etc. Therefore, they are
likely to be more interested in an Apple ][ than in a Jonos. They're
likely to be more interested in an early Compaq, than in a Coby or an
Elcompco.
Therefore, although rarity would seemingly be an important factor in
collectability value, name recognition goes further.
'course it could be argued that "significance" of the item counts.
THAT is why an Apple 1 is so highly prized.
Every collector or enthusiast has their own reasons for their interest
in this hobby, and those reasons usually define what specific machines
they're interested in.
Myself, I will pay top dollar (if I'm able) in order to get my hands
on a machine that I lusted after during my childhood. For example, in
my teens, I desperately wanted a Ferguson BigBoard but couldn't afford
one. I saw those ads every month in BYTE and just drooled and drooled.
Now, I'd just about kill to get one, even though they're really not all
THAT rare...I just haven't managed to find one that's available yet.
Earlier than that, I drooled over the TRS-80 Model I in the Radio
Shack catalogs, back when that model was current. A kind Radio Shack
employee once took me aside and showed me around the system when they
were first introduced. I wanted one so badly I could practically taste
it. I begged and pleaded, but my family did not have a lot of money,
and I was never able to get one. I finally got one on eBay about a year
ago...fortunately I didn't have to pay a lot of money for it, but I tell
you, I nearly cried when I opened that box. I think I only paid about
$30 for it...but frankly I'd have paid a LOT more than that if I'd had
to, probably up to $1K or maybe even more, because I had deeply personal
reasons for wanting it.
Now of course, this is classiccmp, where ANY statement of ANY monetary
value of more than a few dollars for ANY piece of old computer hardware
is usually met with unbelievable amounts of vitriol and ridicule, that
may draw some laughter or even doubts of my sanity...but that's the
honest truth. We all have our reasons.
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Cape Coral, FL