Being inclined to mess about with old TV's, of the CRT valve powered variety, I'm always surfing ebay for parts, test gear etc, here in the UK.
So, I wanted a particular Philips TV pattern generator and had an auto search set up on ebay. One came up this week, and it was local, like about 5 miles away, that is a VERY rare event for any item on ebay, let alone a niche piece of test gear!
Obviously I bid for it, very strongly, and won it at £25! Result right there!
Being local I arranged to collect it and when I walked into the guys garage where he's kept it I saw the holy grail! Not the pattern generator, that was good enough, but 6 big plastic storage boxes full to the brim with NOS valves!! All boxed, unused NOS!! there must be about 750 at least!! Then another box full of vintage NOS pots, presets, components, pickup cartridges, styli, etc, etc. I was literally beside myself with excitement!
We had a chat and it transpires that his mates Dad had been a TV engineer and had unfortunately died, this was all his working stock. There was also another couple of test gear items which I snaffled, and there is apparently tons more stuff!
We did a deal on the valves and I bought it as a job lot, it's going to be a huge task to catalogue them all!
I'm getting first refusal on all the other stuff, can't wait to see whats there!
He's quite pleased because it means he gets to clear a load of stuff to one buyer without having to list it all, pack it, ship it etc.
I cannot believe my luck, it's just a crazy find, and local! Going back to the Philips pattern gen, that is in fantastic condition, never been damp, no corrosion and cosmetically excellent. Amazing for a 40-50 year old piece of test gear!
Still buzzing, please excuse the excited outburst!