One of the pleasures I get from using the Internet is my main hobby — browsing eBay.
There have been some super deals on Vibroplex keys the last few days. I've decided that I can't be the one to buy all the good “deals,” so there's plenty of them left out there.
I wanted a Vibroplex key for many years, and I regret not buying one many years ago. Of course, eBay makes trying things a little more affordable, if you know what you're looking for.
I did pick up a couple of keys (despite my vow not to go overboard). The first was a 1951 Vibroplex Presentation in excellent shape. It's hard to find early Presentation keys without major wear on the gold-plated brass plate. This one has about average wear. Replacing the plate is possible, but geez, you're looking at $70! I didn't put my top bid on this key very high, figuring it someone wanted to go beyond my idea of “bargain,” then they could have it. My last-second bidding must have caught the runner-up off guard.
The only Presentation key I have is also a 1951 key, but it was a basketcase key that I bought not knowing if it was salvageable. The gold plate was damaged and scratched terribly, so I wound up lightly wet sanding the rest of the gold finish from the plate. Using wet sandpaper, I gave the plate a satin look before polishing it. It looks pretty good despite the fact it isn't gold, and in fact, some people who aren't Vibroplex buffs might not notice the difference. I've seen several of these Presentation keys sell on eBay with the gold plating removed like the one I have (deception of the first order, naturally). I think the satin-finished brass on my Presentation key looks nicer than the deteriorated gold plating it previously had. I won't need to remove the plating from the new Presentation key.
I sniped the key and won the bidding with a very good low price (for a Presentation). I was tickled to death.
The other key I picked up was designated as a parts key. I love seeing these keys online, they're always a challenge — can this key be saved??
My answer is nearly always “yes!”
This key is a pre-1940 Vibroplex Original with the black japanned finish. Since the serial number wasn't listed, the key could date anywhere from 1921 to 1939 or so. You can see in the photo what its missing.
It is missing the finger and thumb pieces (I have extras). It is also missing the a terminal screw and nuts (I believe I have those too). The key appears to be missing the lock nut on the upper trunion and possibly the feet. For the paltry Buy It Now that was listed on this key, the parts alone were worth the asking price.
I could use the damper on another key that I have which suffered a damaged damper in transit. My inclination is to simply rescue this key from oblivion — and make it play! I'll review it after it arrives. I've got several of these former “parts bugs” in my collection as completed keys, so maybe this one can be saved too.
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Vibroplex carrying case prices seem to run hot and cold to the extreme. I've picked up a couple for under $40, while others — including one that sold this weekend — sell for $90-130 and up. I would probably sell all of my cases if I thought I could get $100 each for them.
And lasty, there was a very unusual CW straight key listed. I'm not a big straight key fanatic, but apparently this key was a rare one — it brought $1,925! I wish I had a dozen of these for sale!
It's a Western Electric key with legs, and the seller confessed to knowing little about the key.
I've not found much on this key or its maker. It's unique in how it hinges, and from the final bid, I would have to say it is a very rare key. The seller said the key was part of an estate in Boston, Mass.
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There's some very nice collector-quality keys coming up today — a handful of rare Aussie postal cw bugs, along with a 1938B Mac-Key Deluxe — which has already passed $330 mark, and with more than 4 days left, is likely to continue higher.
There's a couple of other McElroy keys listed this week, though none has attrated this level ($300-plus) interest yet. I suspect they will soon enough.
It's late, and I'm off to bed. 73 ….