18 Nov
2002
18 Nov
'02
12:06 a.m.
On Sun, 17 Nov 2002, Hans B Pufal wrote:
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.
As a person who does appraisals on vintage computers (including for
insurance valuations), I can say that the values you ascribed in this
case are completely valid.
My valuations are generally based on what a certain machine would be
likely to fetch at a well publicized auction, taking into account the
rarity of a machine and the desirability, based on factors such as
physical and functioning condition. It is also completely acceptable to
base value partly on the amount of work that went into restoring a
machine.
If you ever need help with this in the future then let me know ;)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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