The $10,000 Radio

The $10,000 Radio

In early June of 2006, the club helped dispose of a large collection of radios from the estate of a New Jersey collector. The club was asked if we would be interested in auctioning the entire collection of over 80 pieces for the estate, including many nice examples dating back to the 1920s. A team was dispatched to pick up the radios. The collection filled two vans, and was transported to our cottage museum on Marconi Road at the InfoAge Science/Learning Centerfor inspection and cataloging.

Upon opening one of the radios (an unusual "Crawford" model, pictured above), club trustee Ray Chase discovered something wrapped up in paper towels inside. Unwrapped, the bundle revealed it's contents: ten thousand dollars in cash! As Ray called out "Hey, I need a witness over here!" others dropped what they were doing to see what all the commotion was about.

Stunned, the members passed the envelope around "to see what it felt like to hold $10,000" and then immediately called the owner to inform her of the situation.

Ray drove many miles to return the money the next day. He accepted a small reward as a further donation to the club's efforts in appreciation of our honesty. The money, and the proceeds from selling the radios will be put to good use, providing much-needed financing of our museum and ongoing educational programs at the InfoAge site.

When this radio is put up for auction, although the opening bid will doubtlessly be a bit lower, it will of course be listed as "The $10,000 Radio"!