Here's the final auction amounts for some eBay auctions I have been watching. Clearly the trend right now is “up.”
KNIGHT KIT T-50 TRANSMITTER. The T-50 isn't as widely seen on eBay as the later T-60. I'm not sure if its rarity or simply the growing demand for Novice-type transmitters — the T-50 sales price surprised even me: $180.25 (condition unknown).
HALLICRAFTERS SX-122 RCVR. This receiver is from the 1962-64 era, and was the top of the line SW rcvr of its day. The “X” designates it has crystal filtering, making it a nice rig for a boatanchor station. I can't imagine it being worth the final bid of $306.
HI-MOUND BK100. A seller in Canada listed a Hi-Mound “coffin” bug as a “World War II Japanese” key. Clearly its one of the many variations of the Hi-Mound key (Lafayette, Allied, etc.). The key was made in Japan, but not during the war. A nice example of the key brought a top price of $50.
1919 VIBROPLEX MODEL X. Any Model X on eBay is going to bring a pretty good price. This one was in original “as-found” condition. It really needed some work too. The Model X was unique because it was an attempt by Vibroplex creator Horace Martin to reduce the number of contact points from two to one. The keying lever on the Model X was unique, and the contact on the keying lever was double-sided. I do not own one, mostly because they're a bit rich for my blood. I'm considering funding the purchase of one by selling off some of my duplicate keys, lol! This one brought $227.
1958 VIBROPLEX BLUE RACER DELUXE. Another collectible key, the Blue Racer isn't the rarest, just the one most in demand. This particular key had a large lead plate attached to the bottom for additional weight. The key came with a Vibroplex Original-sized Vibroplex carrying case. The key base had some corrosion. Still it brought $140.
1931 BLUE VIBROPLEX ORIGINAL. It's a little known fact that Viborplex for a time offered its keys in three colors other than black: red, blue and green. This key was indeed a rare one, and had I been home at the time I would have been bidding my butt off for it. The key was in good original condition, the Midnight Blue base was in good condtion. This is one of only couple of colored-base keys I've seen on eBay in my years of watching keys.
2001 VIBROPLEX BLUE RACER 2000. Vibroplex scored a major coup when Mitch decided to bring back the Blue Racer. I found one priced right on eBay last year and snapped it up. People who buy them new just don't seem to sell them. The interesting thing about the key is that it was an inexpensive way to re-introduce a classic — unlike the original Blue Racer, the BR 2000 used all the same parts as the Original did. The only difference between the BR 2000 and the Original was the width of the base. Originally, the Blue Racer's top parts were roughly 2/3 the size of the Original. They were scaled down so it would look “appropriate” on the much narrower base. The fact the mechanicals are the shared between the keys hasn't dampened the enthusiasm eBay bidders have for the newer Blue Racer — this one sold for $162.50 — approximately $35 less than the new price (with warranty).
EF JOHNSON 114-520 SPEED-X BUG. This is the Vibroplex-like Speed-X bug. It's a dependable key and has a pretty good feel. It will run slower speeds and retain great action. I was surprised to see this key sell for a final bid of $92.
One of these days I'll finally plot the trend and I'll be able to cash in all my keys and make a bundle (yeah, right!). Oh well!