My Vintage Radio Collection

[decojoe67]

Here's an 1937 Emerson model AM-169 "Ingraham" radio. These specialty cabinets where made in Connecticut primarily for Emerson:

...and a 1937 Pilot Radio model G-184. This a very large and heavy tabletop with nice deco/machine-age design touches:

 

[decojoe67]

View attachment 96276 Here's a small 6-tube streamline-modern bakelite night-table radio. It's a 1939 Silvertone model 6409. This is the walnut grained bakelite model. There was also black bakelite and white painted models. The set has an unusual upside chassis and performs surprisingly well. It has a hefty solid look and feel.

 

[decojoe67]

I recently purchased this 1946 Westinghouse H-125 "Little Jewel" radio. Collectors call it the "refrigerator" radio because not only does it look like one, but it is believed these were part of a promotion in the sale of refrigerators. They came in four colors, ivory, burgundy, dark green, and mine, light blue-green. These are quality little 6-tube sets that perform surprisingly well. They have a solid quality feel to them. This one is all original. I had plans to touch-up the chips and scratches on the painted surfaces, but it has such a nice patina I think I will leave it as-is.

This was actually a period Westinghouse refrigerator color!:

 

[decojoe67]

I recently acquired this 1940 Silvertone model 57-F-05845 78RPM-only phonograph "attachment". These small bakelite units were popular in the late '30's and early '40's and were meant to be a low-cost alternative for a electric phono. They usually came in two models, one, like mine, attached directly to your radio, and the other had a built-in transmitter. That one was almost double the price. This unit was $7.95 in the day and included your choice of 10 78RPM records. You have to push-start the turntable and install steel needles.
I polished the cabinet and re-flocked the platter and amazingly, the unit works perfectly as-is. It's a piece of streamline-modern art and possibly the work of Raymond Loewy, but I've yet to confirm that.

 

[Krash1974]

I think the radio is a 1957. The table was my paternal grandparents’ in the ‘50s. The hat’s not old, but will be someday.

 

[decojoe67]

I'm on a bakelite '30's phono "attachment" kick! I just had to add one of these "teardrop" models to my collection. They were made by RCA and GE. This one is a 1939 RCA Victrola R-100. It is a John Vassos creation and a small streamline-modern work of art. It was in sad shape when I got it and needed hours of fixing-up including some new wiring, grommets, re-flocking, polishing, and decal replacement. The old crystal cartridge, naturally, is no good and will be replaced by a ceramic one soon. The simple syncro motor runs fine and, amazingly, the rubber motor "hangers" are still pliable!

 

[decojoe67]

Being very much into early small bakelite phonographs lately, I decided to add a later 45 player to the collection. This one is the first 45 player from RCA Victor, model 9EY3, from 1949. These small units have a nice chocolatey bakelite case with very sharp post-war lines. It was a departure from the passé smooth streamlined curves of years past. You stack up to 10 45's on the spindle, push the front button and walk away! The whole spindle turns along with the stack of records and the changer action is very fast. This one has been completely rebuilt, they always need to, and sound so rich and warm, like a small jukebox from the era.

 

[decojoe67]

Here's a factory produced AA5 1946 Motorola 55X15 that, I believe, was called the "Mother's Day" model. They came in ivory or light green and were a very basic single band set. There's not much information it and none of the guide books list it. Most seemed to have been destroyed after being in kitchen environment for decades. This one needed a complete detailing, but was all there. The decals were good too. Surprisingly it plays well as-is! This was a "recue" from a local antiques mall. For just a few bucks investment it's a fun set in my kitchen.

 

[decojoe67]

Two new additions. A streamline-modern 1941 Majestic 6-tube bakelite radio with tone control. These pre-war bakelites where larger and much more impressive than the post-war models.

This is a 1959 Trav-ler "Super-6" transistor radio. The bright red cabinet along with the bright brass details made me grab this one. It has it battle-scars, but displays nicely and works fine.

 

[decojoe67]

I made a trade with friend of mine for this Atwater Kent 944. This model is often dated as a 1934, but is actually the lowest on the 1935 line. By this time cathedral sets, which were the rage in 1930-32, got demoted, and the more modern looking tombstone sets became the top of the line. This 4-tube set is an example of the reasons Arthur Atwater Kent himself wanted to close-up shop. He didn't want to start producing cheaper sets, which was necessary to stay competitive. The truth is the set plays just fine. It's hard to tell if it's a 6 or 8 tube set. This one is in great original condition including the grill cloth:

 

[decojoe67]

Going way back now is this very primitive 1922 Deforest Wireless System "Everyman" radiophone crystal receiver. I always wanted some type of Deforest set in my collection and a small set like this is perfect. It's complete with plug-in coil and a pair of proper Brandes Superior headphones in the storage slot. The set is complete and functional with a nice instruction card under the lid. By and large, 1922 was the first year radio entered the home and budget conscience buyers often used these crystal sets for their primary radio over more expensive tube sets. Soon tube radio prices went down and the crystal radio quickly became basically a child's toy. For those who don't know, Lee Deforest was one of radio's early pioneer inventors. Although he contributed to it's rise, his ego caused him to do business in underhanded ways which got him into a lot of trouble. Nevertheless, he's one of early radio's most interesting characters.
View attachment 115453

 

[decojoe67]

I just couldn't leave this practically new condition 1948 GE 115W 5-tube radio at a local antiques mall. It's not painted, but solid cream-colored "plaskon" plastic which is almost as glass-like/translucent as catalin and prone to cracks/hairlines. The knobs are contrasting cramel color and the insert grill is reverse painted bright gold with brass details. It's a big bold modern post-war look. Interestingly it was built without a dial lamp.

 

[decojoe67]

This is a cute compact radio/phonograph. It's a 1947 Air King A-403 "Court Jester". These inexpensive sets usually took a beating, but this one survived in good condition. It's been completely repaired and the old 78's sounds great on it. The 4-tube radio plays very well too. On the platter is a period "Vogue" picture record.

 

[rdnzl]

Here's one of mine.

Zenith Zephyr from 1936.

 

[rdnzl]

Here's another.

Sparton 1867 Triolian.

From 1936.

18 tubes and 3 speakers.

 

[decojoe67]

After a long pause I went and added an uncommon "mini" console to the collection. It's a 1937 Wilcox-Gay model A-19 6-tube set. It has 3 bands, a tuning eye, variable tone control, and a large 12" speaker. The most unique aspect of it is the deco metal grille. Wilcox-Gay is mostly known for it's '50's "recordio" phonographs. Their deco radio's of the '30's are quite uncommon.

 

[decojoe67]

Here is a 1940 Firestone "Roamer" model S-7426-7 battery only "picnic portable" or "luggage style" portable. They mimic the look of that great tweed/striped luggage of the period. This was popular on these sets in the late '30's- early '40's. For me, these are the best one's. After the war they took on a plainer, more modern look. The set works with modern batteries and has a nice mellow tone. There's no dial lamp on these to conserve battery power. The vertical, dual-scale dial is rather unique on this one. The hinged front lid snaps closed and has that great dark striping on it.

 

[decojoe67]

Another luggage-style portable - a 1939 Motorola 41D. The cool feature about this one is that when the set is off, you see a decorative plate over the dial that reads "Batteries Off". When you turn the set on that plate jumps over the left out of sight to reveal dial behind it. It's been repaired and performers excellent on modern batteries.

 

[decojoe67]

Yet again another striped "luggage-style" battery only portable radio. This one is a 1939 Emerson CT-275. It's a really cute set with it's beautiful dial and small cube-shape style. I had a friend go over the chassis and it works like a champ on modern batteries. You won't believe the clear mellow sound this little set has. By the way, the red dot on the lower left of the dial designates that the set is on. When you turn it of, it is gold like the dial.

 

[decojoe67]

Yet ONE MORE "airplane-luggage" battery-only pre-war portable! This time it's a 1939 RCA-Victor 94 BP4-1. The set is such nice original condition, working with a nice homemade battery pack, all for a fair price, that I had to grab it. The "Little Nipper" style dial with blue-background, fluted bakelite knobs, and nice brass plaque are just enough to make it attractive. The little "porthole" between the knobs is the power-on reminder. When on it's a red dot.