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History of the Television Set

Several different inventors from various countries all played a significant part in developing the television. In the early 1900s, inventors had managed to produce machines that could transmit and receive very rudimentary images but only over short distances. The earliest devices did not use film footage; they instead used still images. The rapid projection of images gave the illusion of a moving image. In 1926, John Logie Baird gave the first successful demonstration of moving images on a television screen. For this reason, Baird is often credited with inventing the television set. The early television devices that followed only had 30 lines of resolution, which was the bare minimum to transmit a recognizable image of a face.
Television set technology continued to progress from these initial innovations. By the 1970s, most households had a television. Apart from a few novelty editions, very few collectors show any interest in collecting televisions after this point because they are generally regarded as far less aesthetically pleasing and also because they are too common to be of high value.
Popular Vintage Television Models

Some collectors choose to collect only pre-war mechanical models, while other collectors ignore these in favor of post-war electrical models. Many collectors choose television sets based on their aesthetic appeal, although some choose them based on the cultural importance of a piece. For most, the choice is personal, based on taste and preference. Some choose a particular decade or a particular manufacturer.
It is important to remember that as with all vintage goods, the television sets in mint or excellent condition fetch much higher prices than those that are severely damaged. However, many collectors are also restorers, so provided the damage is not too extensive, some collectors will still buy vintage television sets in poor condition for a reduced fee if they think they will be able to restore them to their former glory.
Certain television models are more popular with collectors than others, and these will fetch a higher price because of their scarcity or importance. Here are six of the most highly prized vintage television sets among collectors.
1. Bush TV22

The Bush TV22 is one of the most sought-after and highly regarded vintage television sets. It was first produced in 1950, and production ended shortly thereafter in 1952. The Bush TV22 was one of the first "compact" television sets, and it was also among the first to contain an aluminum cathode-ray tube. The shell of the set was made from Bakelite, which was a very popular material during the 1950s and 1960s. The cost of a Bush TV22 was the equivalent of two months' salary for the average working person. This vintage television model was one of the first with a user-operated tuner. Prior to this model, if a new station needed to be tuned in or if the television was moved, it had to be taken to an electrical store to be tuned back to the appropriate station. This TV has a 9-inch screen, and there is a Bakelite-framed magnification attachment to increase screen size.
2. Ferguson 306

The Ferguson 306 is another wildly popular vintage television model. This is a very large, heavy TV set. In addition to a television, this system also incorporates a record player and a radio. The Ferguson 306 is set in a large wooden cabinet with two large speakers at the bottom. The television is located in the top right portion, and the radio and record player are in the top left section. The whole system was made to be concealed by the high-quality wooden cabinet doors. This entertainment set was produced during the mid to late 1950s, and there are very few examples that are in good condition. Like many wooden television sets that have survived the intervening years, most existing Ferguson 306 models are riddled with woodworm and need a full restoration.
3. Eko TMB 272

The Eko TMB 272 is one of the first portable television sets. As such, it is highly desirable. It was introduced in 1955 and has a Bakelite chassis. Although it was advertised as portable, it is actually very heavy and not well suited to being carried around. These sets have a tuner and an extendable antenna so that users could try to receive a signal anywhere. The Eko TMB 272s were popular with those who went camping and who vacationed in a caravan or an RV because these TV sets allowed them to still have access to television programs. These sets also were very popular in the broadcasting world, as they were used as portable monitors. When shooting footage or broadcasting live, presenters and production staff could watch for flaws or errors on these portable television sets.
4. GE 800 Series

The General Electric 800 series A, B, and C are all very popular machines. These models are small, compact televisions with a Bakelite chassis. They have 9-inch screens and feature a tuner, volume control, and channel changer located beneath the screen with the speakers. Models in good condition with no wear or visible damage fetch the best prices. Pristine models with the bakelite chassis in perfect condition are highly prized. Models with significant aesthetic damage or wear have limited value and are usually purchased by collectors for spare parts.
5. Sony KV-1320UB Trinitron

The Sony KV-1320UB Trinitron was released in 1968, and it marked Sony's first foray into the world of color television. Although not as aesthetically pleasing as some earlier models, this particular television set is held in high regard by collectors because of its importance and its scarcity. To be of interest to collectors, these televisions must be in very good condition, although sets in moderate condition may be of interest to collectors who would like to pursue restoration projects. The Trinitron sets have a metal outer chassis that houses the channel changer, tuner, volume control, and speakers, and the television screen sits in the middle of a plastic chassis.
6. Keracolor Televisions

All the keracolor units are highly prized by most post-war television collectors, and there are even some who choose to collect Keracolor models exclusively. Keracolor televisions were produced during the 1970s and were part of the space age design craze. They are spherical; made from either fiberglass, polycarbonate, or wood; and have a rectangular screen. With screens available in 20-, 24-, and 26-inch sizes, there are a variety of different models, including a hanging unit that was designed to be suspended from the ceiling. All these vintage Keracolor television models are incredibly popular among collectors who find the design innovative and aesthetically pleasing.