Radio Information and Appraisals

Radio Era Archives gets between 25-50 inquiries a day regarding historical information, possible value, identification or other related questions about old radios or phonographs. Unfortunately we just don't have the time to answer these questions without compensation as it takes a lot of time to research each request. We are continually asked questions about information, history, age, and the value of old radios and related items like tv's, stereos, tape-recorders, etc. Many times, the inquiry does not give us any information to go on such as manufacturer name, model number, approximate age, type of radio (tabletop or console). This information is needed to make any kind of informed statement about either information available about the equipment or of value. Further, we get two types of requests, those that "just want to know" and those who want more information than just value or need an appraisal for insurance or estate purposes. Needless to say that it takes time to look up the equipment in question, to check our reference books and price lists to answer these questions. So we reluctantly have to charge for the time that it takes to dig out this information as some compensation for our time spent. We can give you answers two different ways and costs associated for each:

General Value Price Estimate (must have information about the item, at least manufacturer and model number - also condition of the radio is very important) - cost is $ 15.00 (Minimum order charge) - An alternative to this type of inquiry and our charge for same is to purchase the Bunis Antique Radio Collectors book on Antique radios and values for same which we have available for purchase on the web. Many thousands of radios are listed with price ranges taken from sales and auctions throughout the country. This book is available with more information and ordering information at http://www.radioera.com/newbooks.htm. While this book is just a guide, it does not take into consideration the condition of your specific radio or whether it plays or not. But this book is helpful in finding a range for a specific radio but is not the last word on real values that only experience can dictate. TV's, stereos, tape-recorders and other equipment may not have a price guide for these items, so we have to rely on sketchy information from estate sales and internet sales to value these items. If you want our informed opinion as to the real value of a specific radio, we must have all the information that you can give us and order an evaluation.

OR

Official Appraisal Estimate (must have information about the radio, at least manufacturer and model 
number - and as much information as to condition) - cost is $ 30.00.   A certificate of appraisal is included. Multiple items, such as a collection from an estate cost additionally and we will quote based on the number of items involved.

In both cases, a digital photograph of the radio in question is highly desirable as a tool for classifying your radio or for determining its actual model number. If you do not know the model number, then we will also have to do a "search" with an additional cost of $ 18.00 to figure out by the tube types and numbers of tubes, which model you actually have. After doing this, then we can give information and value on the radio.

OR

Historical or Information Search  - We can do a historical search for a picture of a specific radio (if it exists) or find some historical information on a specific radio manufacturer. This is also done for a labor order charge of $ 18.00.   If we find significant detailed historical information, we can supply this for an additional $ 16 which is our standard charge for historical information.

Enter Part Number, Quantity and Price in Space Below and Click to add to the shopping cart: This is a free-form fill in the blank form for what you are ordering information on.

Schematic diagram searches for old radios made prior to 1946 not published by Riders or others are also available for $ 18.00. 

You can order either type valuation on our website or schematic searches by clicking either of the three hyperlinks above for General Value Estimates or for Official Appraisal Estimates.  Just indicate what you are ordering. Either one can be charged with a credit card.

Thank you for inquiring to REA and we hope you understand why we must charge for this service.