Old Western Electric paper caps- use or not to use?

[Walter66]

Here's a bunch of old WE caps. Each unit contains ten caps. Most of the values have drifted already but I managed to combine four units for useful values.
Can they still be used for low voltage AC coupling of audio signals (no DC blocking aplied) or should I go for newer parts like orange drop caps?
How stable will be those values in the future when they have drifted already? Please advise.
Btw, what do those numbers like "IV 36" or "III 39" mean? Is it production year?

 

[Script]

Looking cool.

If month and year -- museum worthy.

 

[Newmarket]

What range of values are you looking at ?
btw there's no particular reason to go for Orange Drop capacitors in particular.
Unless it's for aesthetics. The 'myth' around them is largely related to tone control in electric guitars.

 

[Walter66]

Application will be this circuit. Eventually managed to combine for 220nF and 100nF caps.

 

[C.B. - Boudio]

Why would you want that? Values can drift even more over time, they are probably not as temperature stable anymore, and their size can also increase their susceptibility to interference in some cases.
And they look too pristine considering their years to begin to solder them or bolt them onto a chassis - it would seem like a bit of a waste to me. Just go with normal new film caps, no reason at all to still use them (except if this were really the only capacitors you have and you can't get anything else for the coming years...)

 

[emrr]

If they’re the right ones (hell, or not) they will bring $$-$$$ to the collectors. I wouldn’t use them.

 

[Newmarket]

If they’re the right ones (hell, or not) they will bring $$-$$$ to the collectors. I wouldn’t use them.

Is there a significant niche interest in vintage capacitors ?

 

[Script]

Might not be audio or even use related

 

[Walter66]

Is there a significant niche interest in vintage capacitors ?

WE parts usually fetch money big time. But they are exceptinal good sounding, too.
https://www.ebay.com/b/Western-Electric-Vintage-Capacitors/71573/bn_313770

 

[Newmarket]

WE parts usually fetch money big time. But they are exceptinal good sounding, too.
https://www.ebay.com/b/Western-Electric-Vintage-Capacitors/71573/bn_313770

Okay. I'll keep an eye for any WE caps but i guess they are more of a North America thing ?
wrt "good sounding" - not clear what that means tbh - low distortion or "euphonic distortion" ? Better than a high quality film cap ? (dielectric detail depending on value and voltage)

 

[Walter66]

Don't expect neutral sounding from those old parts. They act like an equalizer.