$1 for a B-7971?!?! Incredible. The best price I ever saw was late 1970's/early 1980's when they were still common. As I mentioned in the past, I got six NOS B-7971's around that time from Meshna Electronics for $5/each IIRC. The used ones were $1 cheaper and I decided to splurge. The first eight tubes I got came in pairs on the old stock ticker boards. One tube was defective leaving me with seven good ones. I believe I paid something like $8/each for the boards. Some from Poly Paks and some from Meshna. It has been so long many of the details escape me. I still have that "defective" tube that I have been debating about selling. It had shorted segments and various attempts at fixing it over they years before learning about the "wooden dowel" method that worked resulted in some segments getting damaged. Tube still intact and several segments still light up so it is useful as a novelty but it will not display all possible segments that a good B-7971 will. It is wrapped in bubble wrap sitting in an odds-and-ends box which is why I am thinking of parting with it. I am not using it.
Robert On Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 6:36:35 AM UTC-4 Bill Notfaded wrote: > Jeffrey- > > Where there any big Borroughs or NL tubes vertical or round? > > Bill > On Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 1:46:02 PM UTC-7 Jeffry P wrote: > >> Hi Nick, >> >> I've been lurking in this group since its creation. Most of the >> discussion is a bit beyond me but interesting nonetheless. Some members >> were asking where the pictures were- I was referring to the pictures listed >> on the Facebook group. I have not posted any pictures anywhere. I'm about >> halfway through sorting tubes into bins, so that all alike types are >> together. Burroughs has the lead as far as variety with National right >> behind.Valvo and Amperex are well represented. This coming weekend I should >> be able to finish sorting. I'll post some pictures when the sorting is >> finished. Thank you to all who have sent encouraging words. I was concerned >> that some folks would be out of joint because I went in and got everything. >> If you were planning on going to Huntsville for nixies this weekend I >> apologize. There were some meters left that someone might be interested in. >> I'm referring to the photos on the Facebook page (Harpers Home Estate >> Sales). The collection came from Michael Seaton. He had a few posts here >> and his name was in his email address. >> >> Jeffry >> >> On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 10:30 PM Nicholas Stock <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> Hi Jeffry, welcome to the group!!! >>> >>> As a long time Nixie fan, clock builder, collector etc, I applaud you >>> for keeping the treasure trove together. I noted a lot of highly sought >>> after goodies in the photos (including a rather *excessive* number of >>> old Axiris VU meters!). As a fellow nixie/neon nutcase and one of the >>> moderators of the group, let me know if there's anything I(we) can do to >>> help you with info, pricing etc....there are a lot of really knowledgeable >>> and thoughtful folks on this list and whilst a lot of us are probably >>> *agog* at the collection, deep-down we're happy that it is all in one >>> place and with someone who knows its value (not just monetarily). >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> Nick >>> >>> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 6:16 PM Audrey <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> You should give them to me :) >>>> >>>> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 9:14 PM Jeffry Portell <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Yes he and I are the same age. I need to think about where all this >>>>> should go in the event of my demise. >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 3:27 PM Jeff Walton <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Nice to hear that someone from the group was able to make the trip. >>>>>> You are fortunate to have your hands on such a treasure trove of >>>>>> antiquities! Looking forward to seeing photos of the collection. >>>>>> Eventually we all have collections that will change hands, some sooner >>>>>> than >>>>>> others... >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *Jeff * >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -------- Original message -------- >>>>>> From: Jeffry P <[email protected]> >>>>>> Date: 8/23/21 11:15 AM (GMT-06:00) >>>>>> To: neonixie-l <[email protected]> >>>>>> Subject: [neonixie-l] Nixie Nirvana >>>>>> >>>>>> Good morning to all! >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I joined the original Neonixie-l group on Yahoo many years ago when >>>>>> Raymond W. was moderator. I had the privilege of paying him $100+ for a >>>>>> ‘Four Letter Word’ kit that never arrived. Raymond was good at making >>>>>> excuses ( waiting for parts, illness, earthquakes, no reliable help, >>>>>> etc.) >>>>>> and always promised that no matter what I would get a kit. Meanwhile, >>>>>> the >>>>>> time had run out for a refund. The (4) B7971’s were gathering dust while >>>>>> waiting to broadcast their message as tame, colorful, or indecent per >>>>>> your >>>>>> preferences! I think there was something in there about nuns blushing as >>>>>> well. I still get a twinge while checking my postal mailbox and >>>>>> recalling >>>>>> the 2 years of looking for a package from ‘Indonesia’. >>>>>> >>>>>> R.W took a lot of money from people and didn’t deliver. I believe >>>>>> many of his unfortunate customers were, and still are, responsible for >>>>>> the >>>>>> renewed interest in using nixie tubes. Kits were being designed by >>>>>> hobbyists and enterprising individuals found and marketed tubes that >>>>>> could >>>>>> be used to build clocks. I had bought the (4)B7971’s for my FLW on eBay >>>>>> in >>>>>> anticipation of the kit arrival. >>>>>> >>>>>> I love clocks-flip clocks, nixies, and electronic types especially. >>>>>> Online auctions made access to these clocks easy and somewhat >>>>>> affordable. I >>>>>> ordered another kit from a seller on eBay named Pete Hand. I actually >>>>>> received the kit, built it, and I was now the proud owner of a Four >>>>>> -Letter- Word. I’ve owned quite a few four letter words in my lifetime >>>>>> but >>>>>> once they fall out of your mouth….. >>>>>> >>>>>> I bought and built another kit and was hooked on nixies. I watched >>>>>> prices rise for certain tubes and bought them and others as my budget >>>>>> would >>>>>> allow. The intention was to make clocks with them when I retired. I >>>>>> bought >>>>>> a few kits that featured newer display types and learned about SMD’s >>>>>> through trial and error. >>>>>> >>>>>> This past weekend I made a trip to Madison Alabama which is a suburb >>>>>> of Huntsville AL. NASA and it’s supporting industries (Northrup, >>>>>> Intergraph, Boeing, Dynetics, etc.) put Huntsville on the map as a hub >>>>>> for >>>>>> technical and engineering products and services. The area has computer >>>>>> scientists, mechanical and electronic engineers, Material Science PHD’s, >>>>>> and thousands of really smart people. >>>>>> >>>>>> Please bear with me as I feel there is a story to be told here. A >>>>>> computer scientist, whom I’ll call RS had a more than passing interest >>>>>> in >>>>>> Nixes. Unfortunately he passed away suddenly while in his prime years. I >>>>>> believe this person was personally known to members of the Nixie >>>>>> community. I am in possession of RS’s extensive collection of Nixie >>>>>> tubes, >>>>>> built clocks, and collector's pieces. Technical documentation and >>>>>> assembly >>>>>> manuals were kept in file folders. Included is some correspondence >>>>>> related >>>>>> to RS’s support of the art of manufacturing Nixie tubes. >>>>>> >>>>>> I arrived home yesterday after having flown to Huntsville, renting a >>>>>> truck, packing the collection, and driving 12 hours. Saturday and Sunday >>>>>> were one long day for me and I need to rest a bit and recover. If RS’s >>>>>> brother reads this I want to say it was great to meet you and thank you >>>>>> for >>>>>> giving (no it was purchased) myself and the world this fine collection >>>>>> to >>>>>> enjoy. I plan on keeping this collection complete. >>>>>> >>>>>> Now for the good part……… >>>>>> >>>>>> I believe RS was friends with engineers in the aerospace industry as >>>>>> a lot of the tubes are NOS in original boxes with identical date codes. >>>>>> These would have been backup replacements or engineering samples used by >>>>>> NASA . Most of these were American manufactured and include the full >>>>>> range >>>>>> of tubes from Burroughs, RCA, Amperex, National, AEG, etc. The items >>>>>> range >>>>>> from 6 to 20 pieces of each model. >>>>>> >>>>>> There_is_a_ mouth_full_of_hen’s_teeth_here! That last sentence is a >>>>>> matter of fact. I’ve seen the pages of Claus-Dieter, Cathode Corner, and >>>>>> Sphere and a few others. Are these pages of tubes they actually own or >>>>>> just >>>>>> reference info and sale availability? Does anyone have a complete list >>>>>> of >>>>>> every type of nixie tube that was manufactured? >>>>>> >>>>>> RS’s collection contains some Russian and Chinese tubes but I think >>>>>> they were extras for the clocks he built. >>>>>> >>>>>> Most of the shipping boxes for all the tubes he had were emptied in >>>>>> preparation for the sale. I took me 5 hours to pack up everything and >>>>>> RS’s >>>>>> brother and Estate agent were very gracious in the time they allowed me >>>>>> to >>>>>> pack everything. I didn’t have time to wrap each tube that didn’t have a >>>>>> box and I have a 3’x3’x4’ box of loose tubes. The egg cartons you see in >>>>>> the photos were literally stacked atop each other in a box and >>>>>> transported. >>>>>> So far I’ve found 1 broken tube and my heart sank -it was an E1T. >>>>>> >>>>>> This message has become way too long but I want everyone to know >>>>>> these tubes weren’t scattered to the wind or thrown out. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I work and am in the midst of remodeling my home so my time is spread >>>>>> out thinly. I plan on inventorying the collection, trading with other >>>>>> collectors to mutually enhance our collections, and putting together a >>>>>> website that features the collection. Any surplus that I have will be >>>>>> auctioned on eBay. I have no idea what those tubes will be but members >>>>>> here >>>>>> will be alerted. It may be 3-6 months before I can unpack everything. >>>>>> I’m >>>>>> not a tube dealer so getting things listed and sold is not my priority. >>>>>> >>>>>> Please don’t message me asking to buy something you saw in the pics. >>>>>> Until I know what all is there nothing is for sale. Don’t ask what I >>>>>> paid >>>>>> for the collection- If you do I will block you from messaging me. Don’t >>>>>> be >>>>>> rude money was not the issue here it was about keeping this collection >>>>>> intact. >>>>>> >>>>>> If you know RS personally I would love to hear what your interactions >>>>>> were. Many of the shipping boxes were from familiar names and were from >>>>>> all >>>>>> over the world. The number of tubes is overwhelming and I feel very >>>>>> fortunate to own them. There are tubes that I thought I would never in >>>>>> my >>>>>> lifetime be able to see or touch. I’m an old school guy and I don’t take >>>>>> pictures of many things. I may start to Instagram or something to share >>>>>> my >>>>>> finds but if I I get bombarded with offers to buy etc I’ll have to stop. >>>>>> I >>>>>> don’t keyboard very fast (cause I didn’t take typing in high school- I >>>>>> thought I’d have a secretary) so answering emails and messages takes me >>>>>> awhile. Took me 2 plus hours to get this out from the computer. >>>>>> >>>>>> Have a good afternoon, >>>>>> >>>>>> Jeffry >>>>>> >>>>>> *** >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/c88048ff-4540-4ecb-9595-0c8b8824c60en%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/c88048ff-4540-4ecb-9595-0c8b8824c60en%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>> the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/neonixie-l/1ZLwWJYUnmk/unsubscribe. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/61240494.1c69fb81.3c3cb.d144%40mx.google.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/61240494.1c69fb81.3c3cb.d144%40mx.google.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAF5gi3P4fcxK0Fz7njA1CjzfLpYhE_nPF7ApQXv%2Bv85tq8CsXw%40mail.gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAF5gi3P4fcxK0Fz7njA1CjzfLpYhE_nPF7ApQXv%2Bv85tq8CsXw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAPDJQ6BUeRPjd24tCTiT4WJHDxxm8j21CYuTWSW83RTtTB2cqA%40mail.gmail.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAPDJQ6BUeRPjd24tCTiT4WJHDxxm8j21CYuTWSW83RTtTB2cqA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>> Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/neonixie-l/1ZLwWJYUnmk/unsubscribe. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>> [email protected]. >>> >> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAOX%2BRHJ%3D74qPYVBrspvGg%2BH3xw595hPgmJu_M07TXz1zTnuxGg%40mail.gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAOX%2BRHJ%3D74qPYVBrspvGg%2BH3xw595hPgmJu_M07TXz1zTnuxGg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. 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