RARE 1934 Antique SUPREME INSTRUMENTS CORP. Model 85 Portable Tube Tester

Description

This vintage tube tester was left in the test equipment "collection" of my late father, who was a radio and other electronics serviceman for much of his life.   It was stored in a dry, smoke-free home.   I have no knowledge of testing his electronics, so I will sell this as is, untested, and as photographed.   I have more photos of the cabinet, but can't fit them in here.   Please let me know if you would like more photos.
My husband very carefully removed the tube underneath, and we will package it carefully in the side compartment with the cord.   We will also pack the probe separately in that compartment.  (
Be careful
not to discard it with the packing material!!!)
I asked my husband do some research on exactly what this unit is, and he out-did himself!   This is what he found:
You can own a RARE piece of radio history with this antique portable, vacuum tube tester from
Supreme Instruments Corp
. of Greenwood, Mississippi.   This company began manufacturing operations from a garage in 1926, and manufactured tube testers for radio servicemen and repair shops.   These testers were not mass produced.  Each tester was completely assembled and mounted in a wood case by a single technician.  For an excellent summary of the company history, see
Steve's Antique Technology
website:  stevenjohnson.com/supreme/history.htm.   This is an "early version" of the model 85, exhibiting the round meter, imprinted with "
Supreme Instruments Corp
., Greenwood, Mississippi, USA."  In the cover of the tester is the original Operating Data for the Model 85 tester.   It gives detailed instructions for making Preliminary Adjustments, performing Leakage Tests, and conducting Quality Tests.   It also incorporates a Tube List with test settings for the nine most popular radio vacuum tubes:  01A, 24A, 26, 27, 35, 45, 47, 71A, and 80;  and test settings for nearly 160 other 4, 5, 6, and 7-pin, pre-1935 vacuum tubes!  (Octal-base tubes were not available yet!)
Power supply
:  115 volts AC, 60 cycles.   (Internal circuit uses a 01-A vacuum tube)
Test Data
:   Tube Data for nearly 170 pre-1934 vacuum tubes is mounted inside the cover.  The data facilitates proper set-up and test operations.  The instructions give detailed set-up and test procedures.
Sockets
:  4-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin and 7-pin sockets, plus two top-terminal pin jacks.
Accessories
:  A test lead with a pin jack termination and a tube-top terminal cap.  (notice worn wiring)
Filament Heater Voltage
:  1.5 to 30 volts
Test Functions
:  Tumbler Switch selects Leakage Tests or a Quality Test
Leakage Tests
:  Leakage test utilize seven (7) momentary pushbuttons for detecting leaks or shorts between the tube elements.  The leakage indicator appears to be a dual-element, NE-34 neon lamp.
Quality Tests
:  The quality test is measured on a round, Supreme Instruments Corp. panel meter, with a scale from 0 to 100.  Tubes measuring 54 to 100 are "GOOD" and tubes with readings from 0 to 46 are "BAD."  Tubes testing between 46 and 56 are "QUESTIONABLE."
Other Features
:  Four additional tumbler switches for 6Z5, 12A5, 12Z5 and "spare".
Cabinet
:  Might be oak.  Nice cabinet!  (Notice the fine dove-tailed corners.  Enlarge photo to see better)
Approximate Dimensions
:  About 11-1/2" wide, 12-3/8" high, and 5-5/8" deep.
Condition
:  Pre-owned, as is, as found, as photographed.   Seller did not connect power to the equipment for testing.  Cabinet lacks mounting feet, half of latch, handle, lower half of hinges.  Two holes drilled in the side.
Who wants this??
Public or private museums (parts or restore), prop managers, collectors of vacuum-tube era memorabilia, vintage test equipment collectors, or for Greenwood history!!
Well, I hope that this is a wonderful, unique item that you would love to add to
your
collection!!
Thanks for looking here!!
(radio shelves)