Whats wrong with chip collecting? (SOL-20)

From: Erik S. Klein <classiccmp_at_vintage-computer.com>
Date: Mon Nov 18 12:02:12 2002

Even scarier:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2072033128

This is an Altair 8800 with 6 days left that has already reached $4,000.

One reason, I'm sure, is the addendum to the auction which reads:

"In response to several inquiries, the microprocessor on the first CPU
card is indeed a C8080 with no suffix (please see photo below). For
those of you who are not familiar with it, the C8080 was the earliest
version of this microprocessor and is the most sought after and valuable
of all the early Intel microprocessors. A C8080 chip alone can sell for
$700-$1000 depending on condition"

"However, it has been brought to my attention that the chip shown below
is an early production version of the 8080, made in 1973 at an Intel
subcontractor's assembly plant in Tijuana, Mexico. It is a very rare
chip, which might be worth 1.5x the value of a more typical C8080."

"I would like to thank Steve of The Antique Chip Collector's Page
(http://www.antiquetech.com) for his help in researching the background
of this chip."

I was considering bidding on this until the price reached the
stratosphere. I'd be willing to bet that the buyer can find a chip
collector to take that C8080 off his hands for at least $1,500. On the
other side of lunacy I'd be willing to pay the winner something
substantially less then that for the Computer Notes that are part of the
auction.

   Erik
   www.vintage-computer.com



-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of Glen Slick
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 9:21 AM
To: cctalk_at_classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Whats wrong with chip collecting? (SOL-20)

At least $1500, ending today....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2071171983


>From: Sellam Ismail <foo_at_siconic.com>
>Reply-To: cctalk_at_classiccmp.org
>To: <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
>Subject: Re: Whats wrong with chip collecting?
>Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 14:04:53 -0800 (PST)
>

>I suggest the former. Prices for old computers are fairly well
>established by now. These prices are independent of, for instance, the
>CPU that may power the computer. For example, if a SOL-20 goes on the
>market, chances are it could fetch up to $1,200, regardless of whether
it
>had an Intel C8080 on the original Processor Technology CPU board or if
>it had a Cromemco ZPU with a Zilog Z80 (even a first run Z80). The CPU
>has no bearing on the valuation of the machine.


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Received on Mon Nov 18 2002 - 12:02:12 GMT

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