Recommendations for a vacum tube tester

You will need to spend in the $500-1000 for a unit that is in working condition and calibrated for accuracy.  Plus you will have to maintain it as well.  Testers in that range will tell you if tubes are good or not but cannot match tubes correctly if you want that feature.  My recommendation is just find a testing service like this one I use.

https://www.western-glow.com/vaccum-tube-testing-matching/

In 1950 dollars?

In 1950 they were $25

What do you plan on using it for? Test for yourself or to test tubes for resale?

My tester was $159 in 1959….