Now for something completely different .....

[Peter.N.]

I copied this from another forum I frequent, not normally of interest to anyone here - but I thought this just might be.

Peter.


Michael Bennett-Levy's extraordinary collection of early technologies went under the hammer at Bonhams in London on Wednesday with 90% of the 758 lots on offer sold for a total of £683,384.

The largest privately held collection of early televisions in the world — including 26 pre-war sets — made up a large slice of the auction. Among the truly outstanding items in Michael Bennett-Levy’s collection were the much sought after Teleavia type P111, a rare 1958 console-stand television by Citroën DS designer Flaminio Bertroni that was not only a hallmark in style, but also one of the earliest examples of high-definition, multi-standard and ergonomically designed TV.



One look at this television and it's no surprise to learn that its designer was also responsible for the distinctive Citroen DS which was first produced in 1955. It features a 19-inch screen with white mask, in a tapered-hood case in deep purple with a gold trim. The controls and speaker sit in the rectangular box below and the screen can be turned independently through 150 degrees as well as angled vertically.



The set is also ‘dual standard’, with capability to show 441 lines (which became the standard from 1952) along with a “high definition” facility of 819 lines, meaning it is (sort of) high-definition even by today's standards. This system began in France in 1949 but never really got off the ground. Bennett-Levy speculates that Teleavia may have been trying to "future-proof" the P111 in case the French government decided to resurrect the service.

The television sold for £2,400 at the Bonhams auction.



Elektor runs an article series on vintage electronics called Retronics -- contributions are welcomed, please contact the editor.



Source: Gizmag.

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Michael Bennett-Levy showcasing the Teleavia type P111 (YouTube)
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[Kit]

Thanks for that Peter, brought a smile to my face after a day under the Xm. Bet you had to completely strip it to change a valve, and turn the knob anticlockwise to increase the volume.

[nirgunapa]

I believe that this is the badger?



Cooooool!

[Peter.N.]

Thanks for that Peter, brought a smile to my face after a day under the Xm. Bet you had to completely strip it to change a valve, and turn the knob anticlockwise to increase the volume.

Colin - yes, I think thats the one, never seen it in the flesh though.

Peter

[robert_e_smart]

Wow that looks cool.

[minijet]

.
Very stylish, apart from the legs.

Colin - yes, I think thats the one, never seen it in the flesh though.

You'll be telling us it was before your time Peter

I have to admit though, I can remember the days before the push button channel preset.
When you had to turn a knob to tune into a different channel.
Not as bad as it sounds, there were only three channels to choose from.

Paul

.

[Peter.N.]

I'm afraid I can remember the days when we only had one channel and sets cost more than a car when ITV started we worked feverishly into the night fitting multi channel tuners, that was really the start of the TV boom.

Peter

[Dieselman]

I'm afraid I can remember the days when we only had one channel and sets cost more than a car when ITV started we worked feverishly into the night fitting multi channel tuners, that was really the start of the TV boom.

Peter

There was probably more stuff worth watching then though.

[Peter.N.]

Your'e not wrong there.