Up to this point, standard tube references have been dedicated to the historical development of vacuum tubes in general (Tyne's Saga of the Vacuum Tube, Stoke's 70 Years of Radio Tubes and Valves) or those of a specific manufacturer (Mager's 75 Years of WE Tube Manufacturing). In most cases, stress is placed on the progression of tube technology and refinements, with little emphasis on application. In this sense, Ludwell Sibley's Tube Lore comes as a welcome addition, uniting both the practical with the historical, with an appeal to the restorer, collector and historian alike.

   In the author's own words: This book is intended to aid the present-day user and collector of electron tubes by providing historical insight and specific technical data. It supplies information, from a variety of sources, on the characteristics and design relationships of tubes. With this insight, the user (equipment restorer, audiophile, etc.) may be aided in finding suitable replacement tubes as the supply grows smaller, and the collector may be able to determine the nature and uses of a fresh acquisition .

Trends in Tube Design: History of major styles that shaped the industry - acorns, metals, loktals, miniatures and subminiature, lighthouse, nuvistors, compactrons. Includes odd design variants and special "reliable" types.

Receiving and Audio Tubes: "Prehistoric" types from 25 tiny manufacturers as well as the big guys - information on a lot of collectable tubes in one place. Basic tech data on lots of later types, both common and little known, and on early CRTs. Includes many types not found in ordinary tube manuals.

Special-Purpose and Transmitting Types: Covers the familiar ones and lots of unknown types. "Regular" tubes, plus magnetrons, klystrons, thyratons, ignitrons, camera tubes, etc. Capsulized characteristics on 2300 "specials" from 5512 to 9019. Helps identify that just-found "whatzit." (Everybody knows a 6922 is a premium 6DJ8, but what about the 7308?) For many types, identifies the equipment - civilian or military - that used the tube. Relates specials to their regular prototypes.

Military Types: A researched and insightful list of Signal Corps "VT" tubes; the biggest list yet seen of early Navy type numbers; coverage of Canadian "REL" tubes.

Unique Types from major makers: De Forest, Eimac, GE, Raytheon, RCA, Sylvania, Westinghouse. 13-page chapter on Western Electric, with new information.

Users Guide: Ideas on testing, adapting, repairing, reactivating, identifying, the faint-marked ones, reading date codes, detecting the real maker of private-brand tubes, turning random lots into usable repair stock.

TV Sweep Tubes: Eight audio amps and 78 amateur transmitters/linears that use them; tech characteristics; hints on substituting as the originals get scarcer and more expensive.

Auction Prices: For collectible and audio tubes, from six major sales (Rochester, Dearborn, Highstown).

Discounts available to Clubs on Group Orders. Call or write the Author:

(Out-of-date information -- Book no longer available.)

Ludwell Sibley
102 McDonough Road,  Dept. NJARC
Gold Hill,  OR  97525
Telephone 541-855-5207 (Answering Machine when not home.)

Ludwell Sibley
102 McDonough Road,  Dept. NJARC
Gold Hill,  OR  97525

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