Here's One for Your Altec Photo Album

I'd dare call this one rare too.

EXTREMELY Rare Altec Lansing Television ALC 201 Ser 545 | eBay

Thanks for posting that Bowtie ! Very Cool !

'Didin even think there might be one of these left in the world.

thanks for bringing this to the forum .


Sam's photofacts has the schematic(s)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomt

...Sam's photofacts has the schematic(s)

---

Yep, got one.

While Altec TVs are rare today (what pre-60s TV isn't?), that model was certainly no "prototype". HK Sams didn't waste their time (or their subscribers' money) by documenting products that didn't hit the market en mass.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bfish

en mass.

---

any idea how many were made?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomt

any idea how many were made?

---

At least 545... ;-)

Sams don't say. They tried to hit a model in its' first year, and wouldn't necessarily revisit follow-ups until there was a significant change. Sams index doesn't repeat this model, so likely either short lived or low production.

The seller has been trying to sell this set for a while now. Looks like his earlier $50k asking price has come down some. We discussed this rarity in a Lansing Heritage thread:

Rare Altec Lansing product

Thanks Steve.

Ironic (and kinda sad) that the public was introduced to TV at the theater;

Magic in the Air (1941) : Handy (Jam) Organization : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bfish

Yep, got one.

While Altec TVs are rare today (what pre-60s TV isn't?), that model was certainly no "prototype". HK Sams didn't waste their time (or their subscribers' money) by documenting products that didn't hit the market en mass.

---

I have an issue with that "untested" also. You know darn well seller plugged it in. Probably dead or serious issues.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Old Guy

I have an issue with that "untested" also. You know darn well seller plugged it in. Probably dead or serious issues.

---

Yup Me Too.You know "Untested" is just an excuse for sellers IMO.They know they can get twice the money or more if it works, so plug it in they did !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomt

any idea how many were made?

---

Revisited.
I came across an RCA blurb from '45 that estimated only 10,000 sets were in use at the time. Divide that among several mfrs, and production runs weren't that big then.

Then by '55, half the country had 'em. (Not my half though, I remember our first TV in '63. Just in time for the Beatles on Ed Sullivan).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bfish

At least 545... ;-)

Sams don't say. They tried to hit a model in its' first year, and wouldn't necessarily revisit follow-ups until there was a significant change. Sams index doesn't repeat this model, so likely either short lived or low production.

---

I wonder, can we be sure that production started with number 001?

I know that in some industries it was common to start S/N's at 101, 501 or even 1001.

I've never seen even a modern photograph of one of those before that auction. If you told me that unit was number 45 of only a couple hundred or less produced, i could easily accept that with little doubt.

It seems I've left the impression that I question the rarity of the item. I don't. It may well be the only one left not in a landfill.

My point was that it was obviously a production model, and not

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Altec Best

a prototype

---

*

*(from post #2, later edited out)

I wasn't "mincing" Bfish, or didn't mean to if i came off that way.

Truly just wondering how many might have gone out the factory door. Vintage TV is something i'm pretty much clueless about. But, with the number of folks who cozy up to our beloved Altec brand i'm surprised we've not encountered one of these actually owned by a forum member somewhere by now.

Understood, didn't think that at all.

The serial number is no dealmaker. Like you noted, it could easily have started at 100, 200, 400. I think it suggests there were at least 53.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bfish

*(from post #2, later edited out)

---

Yes ! As I want it to be accurate, if something I said wasn't, then I will edit it for future reference to be accurate. I should have left it though as there is no definitive proof one way or the other how many were actually made !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

But, with the number of folks who cozy up to our beloved Altec brand i'm surprised we've not encountered one of these actually owned by a forum member somewhere by now.

---

As to why I thought maybe a Demo model or some kind of prototype. I have never seen one in literature or anywhere or much less live on ebay !

Interesting early production stats (all brands);

http://www.tvhistory.tv/Annual_TV_Sales_39-59.JPG

I've owned a few old TVs, Predictas, round tube early types and so on. Never seen or heard of an Altec TV. THAT would have gotten my attention!

Old TV's are something that I just don't have any interest in. That kind of pleases me in a way, since I only have so much room, and it seems that everything else interests me! There's an auction coming up soon that will have a slave/master clock system, and some of the clocks are pretty cool looking....... like I need another project/hobby/interest!

I promise if I run across any Altec TV's I'll let the forum know, Though :-)