Antique Radio Values

By Doug Criner

An often-asked question is, “I just found an antique radio, what is it worth?”  Behind this question is the hope or expectation that the questioner is sitting on a gold mine. 

Probably less than 1% of antique radios bring $100 or more at auction.  Maybe make that 0.1%.  Battery-powered TRF sets from the 1920s, with perhaps five '01A vacuum tubes, often sell for less than the value of the tubes alone. 

Of course, there are a few very rare and sought-after radios that will sell for $1,000, or more. 

Why are most antique radios valued so low?  Well, of course it’s all supply and demand. There is still a huge number of old tube-type American radios in existence.  Collectors tend to be tinkerers, not overly wealthy.  And once you have, say, 20 antique radios, you begin to run out of room.  Many old radios are a bit temperamental, and to keep them operating requires some technical ability.  

Antique radios are not really antiques in the usual sense:  don't expect to see them on the TV program, "Antiques Roadshow."  Unlike rare stamps or coins, radio values are very much dependent upon what one individual purchaser might pay today.  On eBay, for example, it’s not uncommon for a radio to sell for twice or half what a similar model sold for a few weeks before.  Economists would classify the market as “thin.”

Shipping costs tend to deter the market for antique radios, particularly consoles and early AC-powered radios with heavy transformers and speakers.

There are value guidelines:  Collector’s Guide to Antique Radios, by John Slusser, and a series of books by Mark V. Stein, among others.  Buying any of these value guides is likely to cost as much as many old radios are worth.  A magazine, "Antique Radio Classified," reports the prices at recent auctions.  And, of course, you're free to browse through eBay. 

If you have a tube-type antique radio that has any personal or historical value, my advice would be to fix it and enjoy it.  If you want to sell it, don’t bother posting inquiries on websites seeking its value – just list it on eBay or take it to a local radio swap-meet, and let the market, such as it is, tell you what it’s worth.  Meanwhile, don’t quit your day job. 

Can you make money by buying inoperative radios, restoring them, and reselling?  In my opinion, not unless you value your time as essentially worthless.  I am aware of a few who can make money on radio restoration, but I could count them on one hand.  Paying somebody to restore an old radio with sentimental value might be a good idea, but would be a losing proposition financially. 

© 2006, Doug Criner