This past weekend we had some water issues in the basement (the unfinished, non-Byte Cellar part of the basement) tied to our A/C unit. In hunting down the problem, I had to displace many of the boxes in which my retro treasures came to me. And, after the issue was all patched up, I was forced to again evaluate my stance on saving these cardboard vessels of years past from which hatched so much vintage computing goodness.
Most retro computer collectors value the inclusion of the original box in any acquisition, and I’m no different. But, the problem is, once the hardware inside is removed and properly set up, the boxes simply section off valuable spaces of air in my basement. And I’ve decided I just can’t afford that in my tiny basement storage areas.
So, I let almost all of them go.
Is it with some sadness? Definitely. But, in a way, it feels good. After all, my computer room was already used as an example of grievous hoarding. Poor girl…
Shame – couldn’t you fold them down and keep them?
Great to see the C64C box – brings back fond memories of my brother and I eagerly carrying ours back from WHSmiths :-D
I would’ve carefully cut them open where they were glued or stapled and just folded them all up, or just put them up on e-Bay – people will always pay for boxes like these if they’re in good condition.
That linked article has a wonderfully exploitative feel to it, especially this bit
I personally couldn’t see anything wrong with that image, there’s a healthy number of Apple and Atari products in there, and not too many Commodore things.
If collecting stuff is a mental health problem, psychiatrists would love our house; the last thing to enter was a full size arcade cabinet :-)
File me as another reader disappointed you didn’t just fold them down, and/or sell them on e-bay once folded.
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And this is why I’ve stopped buying boxed retro hardware. I don’t believe I’d be able to simply let such well-preserved boxes go.
Terrible! Being in its original box in good condition enhances the machine’s potential resale value in the future.