Item: Very Rare 1919 Marconi 106B Radio Receiver
Price: $12,610.
Bids: 26
Date: Feb 5, 2012
Auction: Ebay
Seller: hicottn
Feedback: 100% (836)
Description and Images By: hicottn
Here is an item from my personal collection that I keep wavering as to whether to sell it or not. It is a very rare “Marconi Era” 
1919 Marconi 106-B Radio Receiver. As you can see the condition is quite nice. The serial number is under 100 and the engraving is all very nice. The mahogany cabinet is beautiful and has a glossy finish that is cracked from age but I think it has been refinished at some point because two small holes have been filled. The front panel is really nice with flaws to mention. All the switches and the moving coil slide work fine. The support for the moving coil is repaired but the repair is virtually invisible. The fixed coupling coil is a tad warped and the coil form has been trimmed inside a bit by a prior owner to eliminate interference. There is still just a little rubbing between the coils when the cabinet is installed and I think it may be slightly warped (aren’t we all?). All of the wiring is old but it is not all exactly the same whatever that means. Well, that’s about all I know to tell you about it. I have tried to be picky so there are no surprises. That said, it is very rare and one this nice does not come along often. I’m no expert on these as it is the only one I have ever had, but I’ll be happy to try to answer any questions you may have.
On Jan-30-12 at 02:19:14 PST, seller added the following information:
Introduced in 1915, the 106 covered 200-3500 meters and was used intended for marine applications. It was intended as a companion receiver for the 1/2 KW Quenched Gap Transmitter. There were variants b, c, d. The b variant added a second crystal detector and moved the connection terminals to the back. The b is a much rarer variant than the later d which omitted the sliding coil. The two detectors allowed the operator to have a known working detector in reserve to improve ones chances of hearing signals. The buzzer was for providing a local signal source to enable finding a sensitive spot on the crystal. The buzzer on this unit works. In fact, I hooked the receiver up to an antenna and ground and used an amplifier for an i-pod to hear and heard a couple faint signals. One would have to clean all the connections etc. to get the most out of a set using crystal detectors. The mechanical construction of this set is amazing and well beyond many of the period. All the knobs and switches and contacts are overbuilt and consequently the set has a commanding presence. The quality of construction really stands out when placed next to other sets from the same period or later! The spring loaded contact behind each of the three lower knobs is an inspired design and a thing of beauty unto itself! The mahogany cabinet is one of the most beautiful I have seen on a radio of this period. It really stands out. The brass ID plate is in superb condition as is the whole front panel and all its controls and elements. The crystal cups and their spring loaded holders are in fine condition and work properly. A stunning and commanding set, it displays beautifully and would take pride of place in many collections!