My Vintage Radio Collection

[decojoe67]

1946 Sonora WRU-243. This unique asymmetrical "machine-age" AA5 radio has a large translucent maroon tuning knob. When on, a beam of light makes a circle of light that acts as a tuning pointer. The ivory painted cabinet has it's original factory paint and performs very well. These were made from 1939 through 1948 with very slight changes.

 

[decojoe67]

Here's an early one: a 2-tube 1924 RCA Radiola model III with the optional rare 2-tube amp, and a rare 1923 RCA Radiola model UZ-1320 loudspeaker. This loudspeaker with thumbwheel volume control was expensive and on the market for a short time when it was replaced with a similar, but reconfigured base and much cheaper. It also has the rare Barkelew adjustable antenna switch. The battery eliminator is housed in a repro wooden case with period "Pure-Tone" labeling. it originally used the rare WD-11 tubes, but it uses cheaper replacements now. This little set performs surprisingly well! Very listenable with plenty of volume.

 

[decojoe67]

Here is a tiny 1938 Emerson model AX-211 "Little Miracle" 5-tube radio. It has a cloth line-resistance cord. Surprisingly it's noted that it was designed by the famous industrial designer Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. It's small, but plays wonderfully. The cabinet is brown Bakelite with black attached sled-stlye feet and bullet knobs.

 

[decojoe67]

Here's a circa 1941 Gillifan model 5B-9 in ivory Plaskon. This is a fairly rare west-coast set with a pleasing design. It has its original, and unusual, metal back panel.

 

[decojoe67]

This is a unique tombstone radio. It's a 1939 Crosley model 718-A. It's a 7-tube, 2-band set with the classic green tuning-eye. The knobs and bezel have a nice swirled look. A very good performer.

 

[decojoe67]

This is a circa 1938 Musicaire radio, model unknown. It's a small set with a

ballast tube chassis.

 

[tonyb]

This is a circa 1938 Musicaire radio, model unknown. It's a small set with a View attachment 446611 ballast tube chassis.

That’s pretty.

Was it in that fine a cosmetic condition when it came your way?

 

[decojoe67]

That’s pretty.

Was it in that fine a cosmetic condition when it came your way?

Thanks. The set had a very poor refinish when I got it. I thought I'd "resto-mod" it and add the black lacquer "fins' and feet on the front. I also used red-mahogany stain to give it a richer, warmer tone. Many hours of work.

 

[decojoe67]

1938 Philco model 38-12. A nice little 5-tube, 1-band brown bakelite radio.

 

[decojoe67]

1948 Emerson model 558 battery portable. These attractive and compact portables are the precursor to the pocket transistor radios of the '50's. It would take another 6 years to get there. These have a great metal face and play very well.

 

[vitanola]

A few of my most recent auction winnings:

 

[vitanola]

And a few more:

 

[1955mercury]

What brand of radio is the one on the bottom left with the center dial? I collect watches and remember seeing one real similar to that one with "Bulova" on the dial plate a few years back.

 

[decojoe67]

1934 Zenith model 805 cathedral radio. 5-tubes. Zenith's last cathedral model and, in my opinion, the prettiest. It has a nice smaller-size cabinet too.

 

[decojoe67]

1946 Packard-Bell model 5FP. This small ivory Plaskon set has a nice CA stationed dial in green pastel. The chassis is a 5-tuber with a power transformer. A pretty little set!

 

[decojoe67]

At the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts in downtown Denver, which is something of a Mecca for fans of industrial design. Lots of furniture and housewares and such. And several radios.

View attachment 419333 View attachment 419334 View attachment 419335

Some rare pieces there with the Catalin and mirror radios. Nice.

 

[decojoe67]

In the Fall of 1938 Philco introduced the first practical battery-only portable radio using the new Sylvania low-drain tubes, the model 39-71. This rather plain model was revised in late 1939 with a nice deco brass bezel, knob cups, and vertical stripes, making for a more attractive model 39-72, which this one is. These cost $30.00 when new which would be about $650 now. People loved portability with their electronics even back then, and these sold in large numbers.

 

[decojoe67]

This a fully restored (many hours of work!)1938 Fairbanks-Morse model 5C-T3. Fairbanks-Morse bought Audiola in 1934 and sold appliances, including radios, till 1939. By that time, they were failing in that area due to a recession. 1937-1938 was their golden years. They continued with their industrial equipment up to the present time. The set has a hearty 5-tbe chassis and 3 bands. A really beautiful piece of 1930's art-deco design.

 

[decojoe67]

1933 Crosley model 167 cathedral radio. 5 tubes, 2-bands. The smaller size and very nice details including the "sky-scraper" escutcheon, make it an appealing set.

 

[decojoe67]

This is a 1937 Wilcox-Gay model A46 from the company's line of art-deco metal grilled sets that year. This is the tabletop or "lay-down" model. I found this in a local antiques shop that looked more like an arts and crafts boutique! You never know. I got it for a fair price and it just needed a good refinishing and grille cloth. The original finish was a rather dull even medium walnut. I gave it a warmer tone with toner highlights. A really unusual set.