Loewe 3 NF Tube

Here is a historical Item about early Radio Tubes, that hardly anybody will remember ....

In 1926 already Loewe manufactured multi-system tubes. They were tubes with two or three systems in one glass-bulb including resistors and capacitors. Actually, they were the very first Integrated Circuits - ICs. The 3NF for example was made-up of 3 triodes , 4 resistors and 2 capacitors, the basics for a complete receiver. Only the resonant circuits had to be mounted externally. Today these types of tubes have become rarities. However, every so often some do show-up, just as the ones shown here. Pictures of the receiver OE333 - equipped with a 3NF - you will find by clicking the key 'Raritaet'(Rarity). More information about Loewe and Ardenne, the designers of the 3NF, one can find by clicking the key 'Loewe'. Resistors and capacitors were housed in a separate glass bulb within the main globe. This was done to eliminate the possibility of contaminating the vacuum of the tube. For a schematic diagram of the 3NF click the key 'Roehren" (Tubes).

What you see here is hard to believe but its true.

Some time ago I made a survery through ebay, including American ebay pages and there I saw an auction that I could not believe to be true, but the following

Four in one go

Yes, these are four of the famous 3NF tubes, brand new and still in their original boxes.

Here now is the story of the tubes.

Some time between the years 1926 and 1928 , according to the owner, a woman placed an order for one , or perhaps more than one, OE 333. One was available and also suitable tubes for the OE, and these items were despatched to New York in the USA. The tubes duly arrived , but the radio was never delivered, perhaps because of a wrong address or perhaps because the radio was damaged.

Here the packaging can be seen very well even to the extent that the rubber bands used to secure the tubes are still present.

Here you can see from the condition of the metal shield, that the tubes are brand new.

...and some more Photos

Even the damaged tube on the left netted its owner EU156.87. Tubes without defects demand many times that amount.

Here yet another new picture ...

There are more pictures and information to follow relative to the history of this group of tubes. Presently the owner cannot make time available. He still has these tubes for sale but until such time that he can reply to my inquiries, this is all the information we have.

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Privates Loewe Opta Radiomuseum-Bocket

Loewe 3 NF Tube

Here is a historical Item about early Radio Tubes, that hardly anybody will remember ....

Privates Loewe Opta
Radiomuseum-Bocket