Classic Computer Auctions List

From: Will Emerson <wpe101_at_banet.net>
Date: Tue Jan 26 21:52:57 1999

Auction list.. Okay, but, I've got to say:

 Auction prices.. IMNSHO, I'm deeply saddened to see prices likely
driven by people who probably have no real interest in the machines
themselves, and what you could do
(or can still do) with them, "See the antique computer I've got on my
coffee table". My feeling is, these auctions may "save" some "classics"
for cosmetic
or "bragging rights" purposes, but will (do) hinder the serious
collectors (members
of the classiccmp list) who actually put this equipment to good use, and
keep
alive the history of computing. Sorry, but I had to vent my USD $0.02
worth...

                                                          Will


Doug wrote:
>
> In private email, Marvin appeared to like the idea of an auction mailing
> list, so I've created one. You can subscribe by sending a message to:
> majordomo_at_nut.net
> with the body:
> subscribe ccauction
>
> I, for one, will not be on this new list, but I'll respond to admin
> requests.
>
> To clarify, this list is just for the discussion of *online auctions*
> related to classic computers. Hopefully, my reasoning for creating this
> list is obvious by now -- I find random advertising of auctions unfair to
> those who invest time in searching out bargain needles in a 1.3M-needle
> haystack.
>
> Obviously, other sales vehicles don't have this inherent problem. Even
> "real" auctions require a big enough investment of each bidder's time that
> the playing field is pretty level. So, feel free to continue sharing your
> non-online-auction finds with me^H^H^H us here :-)
>
> On a related note, I want to make it clear that I do find the price trend
> disturbing. Call me Chicken Little, but I fear The End is Near! It
> appears to be increasingly difficult to find "interesting" vintage
> machines from the usual inexpensive sources. I only saw a few S100
> machines at ham fests last year, and I suspect that number will decrease
> by half this year.
>
> Would there be any interest in an anonymous database that tracks prices
> collectors paid over time, and the sources where they found the machines?
> If so, I can setup a website in about a day.
>
> -- Doug
Received on Tue Jan 26 1999 - 21:52:57 GMT