Are these really worth keeping?

From: Jeff Kaneko <Jeff.Kaneko_at_ifrsys.com>
Date: Wed Sep 24 09:02:52 1997

> >On Tue, 23 Sep 1997, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
> >
> >[...]
> >
> >> > > CGA cards
> >> >
> >> Actual IBM CGA cards are a must-keep.
> >>
> >> > > Hercules and MDA mono cards
> >> >
> >> Original Hercules brand cards (as opposed to compatible) and IBM
> >> Monochrome Display Adapter cards are also must-keeps.
> >>
> >> > > Generic XT floppy controllers
> >> >
> >> Genuine IBM floppy controllers should be saved.
> >
> >IMHO _all_ genuine IBM cards should be saved. I always dig through the
> >'any card 1 pound' box at radio rallies (hamfests) looking for such
> >things. IBM cards have the advantage that they can be repaired (I have an
> >almost-complete set of TechRefs).
> >
> >IMHO collectors will want early genuine IBM PC bits in the future. Just
> >like some people will pay for Altair bits today.
>
> Interesting... the thought, though, reminds me of the whole "genuine"
> Altair discussion. The same way that an Altair chasis may contain Compupro
> or other S-100 cards, an XT chasis could contain cards from Hercules, AST,
> Quadram, or any number of other manufacturers.
>
> Will this make these systems any less desirable/valuable in the future? Or
> will people just want to pay lots of money for matching IBM logos on the
> monitor, CPU, and keyboard? (Oops, almost forgot the logos embossed on the
> drives. :-)
>
> <<<John>>>
>
>
>

Two things come to mind here. The first is, that if memory serves,
not all of the cards in the original XT were made by IBM. I'm pretty
sure that 'Original' HD controllers were made by Xebec, for example.

The other is, that in other things generally considered "collectible"
(such as automobiles, for example) it is considered acceptable to
have some non-original equipment installed, provided it is correct
for the period (and that the added stuff in of itself is historic).
  
But I think this only holds to a point: the system board and power
supply would probly best kept 'stock', but one of those Quadram 8086
add in boards would be definitely cool, for instance.

Just my $0.02


Jeff
Received on Wed Sep 24 1997 - 09:02:52 BST