Auctions of Note for March 29th, 2007:
Got an email asking why I didn't hit all TRS-80 and Tandy Color Computer stuff that appears on eBay. In particularly, the question was in regard to stuff listed outside of the TRS-80 listings. I'll update the Collector FAQ here soon, but it's worth going over the purpose of this blog again anyhow, since I don't think I have in, oh, a couple of years. :)
The "Auctions of Note" listings, posted by yours truly, deal mostly with collectible stuff of interests to people who are serious about collecting and preserving original equipment and software packages. Many times they WILL have the dual function of being of interest to those looking for stuff to
use on their CoCos. Most of the time, in fact. And occasionally, I do point out an item or two that is of primary interest to the user, not necessarily to the collector. Mainly, though, my posts are oriented toward the collector, and my comments tend toward that crowd.
Brian will often post primarily on usable stuff he finds interesting or of particular relevance at the moment. Also, where I tend toward a happy, buy it anyway, damn the cost attitude, he tends to act more as a watchdog regarding those really ludicrous auctions. :) Those posts are always worth reading! Brian is hands on and visiting his personal blog,
CoCo/Model III Repak, is a CoCo-life changing experience.
Briza is kind of the "collector at large" and will occasionally post news and related information. For a great News and Software site, be sure to check out his blog at
CoCo Downunder. Briza may (okay, does) have the most comprehensive CoCo game collection on the planet. He's one of the two widely recognized experts on vintage CoCo games (the other is
L. Curtis Boyle, who's CoCo games list is required bookmarking for any CoCoist). If you need info on a game, ask him. He'll not only know, but will most likely have the game as well. :)
Of course, there's no rules the contributors are bound by, nor are the limited to subject, other than the broad "Anything about or relevant to collecting, buying or selling Color Computers and CoCo stuff." So all of the above is just "usually." It's pretty much anything goes. The idea hear is to give multiple viewpoints on collecting Color Computers, regardless of why YOU collect. You may just be in it for the games. Maybe you just like to tinker with the CoCo. Maybe you're a die hard gotta have it collector. Or, more likely, you're some or all of the above. Hopefully, one of us will be able to give you information you can use in some part of your CoCo endeavors.
Of course, we're always looking for additional viewpoints and contributors. And hopefully in the future, we'll be able to add a few more. Drop an email and let us know how we're doing, what you'd like to see, or any questions as well. Always happy to get them!
Now, on to the auctions...
Not a whole lot of notable items out there, but the amount of CoCo stuff on eBay continues to be strong. If you're building a system, or just starting a collection, you couldn't have picked a better time to jump into the fray. Activity in the CoCo listings is also up and there's a ton of interest flirting about on the net in the Color Computer. Tune in and stay tuned!
eBay: VINTAGE TANDY COLOR COMPUTER DISK DRIVE FD501 (item 160101501095 end time Apr-01-07 17:27:51 PDT)As more and more CoCo 3s are selling, more and more people are trying to acquire drives for them. As such, drive prices appear to on the rise. At the very least, I'd call the prices and sales "healthy." I'll start listing them as "hot items," regardless of condition. This is a nice looking FD-501 with both the controller pak and the manual. This is a single sided, 35-track drive. It's my personal favorite of the vintage drives but that's probably because it's the one I use. :) It's also easy to add a second drive. Just grab another FD-501, pop open the case, and slap the new drive in there. Hook up the power and flat cable and you're good to go. No jumpers or terminators or other silliness to deal with.
eBay: Radio Shack Color Computer Software - LOGO + More (item 110108859901 end time Apr-04-07 21:27:52 PDT)Here's a lot of somewhat rare CoCo Goodness. First up is CoCo Graphics Designer Plus from Zebra Systems. If you've ever read a CoCo magazine from the mid to late 80s, you've seen this advertised. :) The seller also mentions a "bunch of related disks." Probably the font and/or clipart disks, but inquire if it's important. Kid Writer is one of those on my "keep meaning to get" lists. This is not a complete version. The original game in one of those heavy plastic cases, I believe. Finally, is Color Logo on disk. On disk? you say! Wasn't that a pak? Yup. See, here's the thing. Tandy did a whole line of "other" software under the brand "Tandy Home Education Systems." There were a bunch of these titles over the years and they came in these big ugly brown binders. I've got a big pile of them around here somewhere. Many of these titles were also marketed in other formats (tape or pak, for example) for sale as a consumer product, with different packaging. I don't know for certain if this is the same Logo as the pak. Hopefully someone can confirm that. Although if it is, it would a) rare and b) nifty to have Color Logo with disk access available (the pak saves to tape). Don't mistake this for D.L Logo for OS-9. While this may be that Logo, it doesn't look like it. Hopefully more information about this disk version of Color Logo will be forthcoming.
eBay: TRS-80 COLOR COMPUTER 3 DISK PROGRAM : SOUNDTRAX (item 110108831489 end time Apr-04-07 19:22:12 PDT)In our Wet Your Pants in Excitement category today, we have what appears to be a full and complete copy of SoundTrax sound sequencer for the CoCo 3. Drool Factor 5, Mr. Sulu! Haven't seen this one before, so no comment other to point out that it might just be highly collectible. :)
eBay: TRS-80 Color Computer DISK DRIVE FD-502 Tandy NR (item 130095262879 end time Apr-04-07 05:32:20 PDT)Another nice drive, this one an FD-502. This is a good one on account (and someone correct me if I'm wrong here) it has 40-track drives built in. All you need is a DOS (NitrOS-9, HDB-DOS, ADOS, etc.) that can access 40-tracks. No manual, alas, but it does include the program pak.
eBay: TRS-80 Color Computer OPERATING DISKS EDTASM demos more (item 130095266437 end time Apr-04-07 05:48:58 PDT)While this isn't the best condition one I've seen (though it's actually better than mine.. heh), this one is rare enough to warrant a look. It has the original disks and what looks like some other disks someone used while learning to use the system. The binder appears in tact and the manual looks nice with bright colors. This package, and those like it, is notorious for yellowing and getting messed up real bad. Not one of the better packaging schemes Tandy came up with over the years. For that reason, this one gets snaps for being, at the very least, presentable.
eBay: Tandy 128K Color Computer 3 w/Original Box and Manual (item 270104394467 end time Apr-03-07 15:41:21 PDT)Good looking CoCo 3. Appears to have the box and manuals, but the cables do not appear to be present, pictured, or mentioned. Worth a question if you're interested. If you're going to use it (and you know you will) you'll probably use good old A/V cables anyhow (at least until you're ready for a real display... heh).
Brian's busy putting his repak together, so I'll play watch dog here for a bit... ;)
eBay: NIB Tandy Color Computer 2 - RARE (item 270104316407 end time Apr-01-07 11:38:16 PDT)This is what I call optimism. It's not NIB. It is, however, listed in the Vintage PCs section (instead of under TRS-80s). I really wouldn't be surprised if it sold for this price. Really.
Angel's Luck,
Capt
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