Old technology won't raise much money

Modern technology isn't of much interest to collectors.

Oh, they use online services like eBay to buy and sell things and the internet to bid at far-flung auctions.

But items like the latest computer innovation or the newest cell phone don't have much attraction in this market. Too new.

On the other hand, technology that's outdated often suffers the same fate. There are many things that -- while at one time state-of-the-art -- don't elicit collector interest because they're, well, just outdated.

In today's What's it Worth we answer a reader's question about a Classic example of "outdated technology" -- the once ubiquitous 8-track stereo tape cartridge.

Q. I've had this Elvis Presley 8-track for a number of years. Still in original packaging; never been opened and never been played. Elvis is gone and so are 8-tracks, so, does this have value? -- Gene in St. John

A. 8-track stereo tapes had a prominent place in the music industry from their introduction in 1963-64 to the time they disappeared in the 1980s. Here what the buzz was about.

Bill Lear, of Lear Jet fame, was one of the key developers of the then-new technology. While reel-to-reel magnetic tape players had been around since right after World War II, they were cumbersome and not particularly portable.

Lear changed that when he introduced the Ford Motor Company to the 8-track concept and Ford made the machines available as an option in most 1965 models. By 1966, you could get any new Ford with a factory-installed 8-track player.

Marketed as convenient, portable and providing high-quality sound reproduction, the 8-track (with Ford's backing) quickly displaced a rival format, the 4-track cartridge.

Record companies still pressed their new music releases to vinyl -- both 331/3 rpm discs and 45s. But by the late 1960s, cartridge versions of the same albums were coming out on 8-track within a month of their initial release as records.

Radio stations also adopted the technology and disc jockeys of the era will remember "carts" that were used to play jingles, public service announcements and commercials. But not for music. It was much easier for a DJ to drop the turntable needle into a record groove than to cycle through the endless tape loop of a cartridge to find the right song.

By the late 1970s, smaller audio cassette cartridges started to replace the 8-track. Car manufacturers offered cassettes as options and the 8-track format was doomed. The last American 8-tracks were phased out of retail stores by late 1982.

This Elvis tape, even though it is in mint condition, doesn't command much money. If a buyer can be found, the price would be $10 or $15.

While there are Elvis records that do fetch thousands of dollars, even the vinyl version of this Burning Love & Movie Hits album brings only $8 to $10 from collectors.

Q. Our Seth Thomas mantel clock has been in the family a long time and has had its share of damage over the years. It is not operational and probably in need of extensive repairs. Would investing in the work be worthwhile? Would the value go up? -- Dale in Burbank

A. There are a lot of collectors of old clocks and they prize both good working order and nice overall condition.

Your attractive timepiece certainly does need work to meet both criteria.

Seth Thomas -- a major American maker -- was in the clock business as early as 1812 in Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut. His business became so important to, and associated with, the town that the community renamed itself "Thomaston" in 1875.

The interior label says "Thomaston," so we known this 25-inch tall clock was made after 1875. From the style, we'd date it to between 1875 and 1895.

Called a "half-column mantel clock," it is missing the glass over the dial and our examination revealed problems with damage to the wooden case and a disassembled mechanism.

In good working order your clock would bring $800 to $1,000. As it is, The value is much less. So, the answer to the question is "yes." the value will go up if you have it fixed. And there are many crafts people and clock technicians who can do the work. As to whether having it restored would be "worthwhile," that's a question only you as the clock's owner can answer.

w Terry Maurer, a Tri-Cities personal property appraiser and antique dealer, is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. You may submit your antiques and collectible questions to What's it Worth by e-mail to whatsit worth@clearwire.net