John's Antique Radios
My first radio, a 1936 Zenith Model 9-S-55 "Deco-Style" Console in rich, brown walnut and walnut burl wood, proudly occupies a prime spot in the family room. The original advertisement for it reads:
"9 tubes. Tunes American and Foreign Stations: police, amateur, aviation conversations, ships at sea. Tuning range of 5 wave bands on 3 simplified dial ranges. 12-inch Auditorium dynamic speaker. Black Magnavision Dial, bands individually illuminated in colors; Automatic band indication A-B-C; Split-Second Tuning. Overtone Amplifier. 42 inches high. Price $119.95".
I just wanted one good wood console radio . . . just one . . . well, as you can see, I didn't stop with one . . . so many styles, such beautiful woods . . . so many dollars. Please take a look at my collection. Most have original finishes . . . all have been electronically restored so you can pull in those short-wave overseas broadcasts or listen to Big Band music or "Golden Oldies" on local AM stations. After all, the oldest radio below, the '36 Zenith, is 69 years young this year . . . we all need a "tune-up" eventually! The "youngster" is a late 50's pink and black Zenith clock radio. In June 2005, half of my collection was sold off in preparation for sale of our home, moving to smaller accommodations, and planning for a move to the Phoenix area when Barb retires. Originally numbering about two dozen radios, the collection now numbers nine. The descriptions below are in order of the top to bottom photos to the left.
1936 Zenith AM/SW Console Model 9-S-55
Electronically restored. The beautiful walnut cabinet had been painted a dark red/brown by a previous owner, so this radio has had its cabinet completely stripped of paint and refinished to its original look, including replacement, original-look grill cloth.
1937 Zenith "Arm Chair" AM/SW Console Model 6-S-249
Original finish. This is a relatively rare radio for both design and condition. It has been electronically restored and has a rich, mellow tone. Perfect for those "Big Band" tunes. I have also acquired an original magazine advertisement from 1937 showing a housewife relaxing in a chair adjacent to this very same radio. Originally sold for $79.95
"Pre-October 1937" Emerson AM/SW Table Model AL130 (Ingraham Cabinet)
Cabinet displays three distinctive inlaid black-lacquered horizontal
"stripes" to add to its art-deco appearance. 6-tubes. Stripes have been
relacquered and the cabinet has received a low-gloss overspray to enhance
the finish. Electronically restored.
1937 Emerson AM/SW Table model 169 (Ingraham Cabinet)
Cabinet displays a grille area with an art
deco curvature and vertical louvers. The bottom of the radio is
accented with three elegant inlaid wood red pinstripes. The cabinet
finish is original and displays richly detailed grains and swirls
throughout. The classic gold dial is is trimmed in black with a gold
centered pointer. Features AM/SW and tone control. 14"W x 9½H x 8½"D.
Electronically restored.
1941 Emerson AM Table Radio Model DB-347 (Ingraham Cabinet)
This small radio is one of the most beautiful
radios in my collection. Use of superior woods coupled with great
styling make this a collectible radio. Note the three delicate inlays on
the curved wood speaker grill cover. Electronically restored, it boasts
its original deeply-grained finish, gold Emerson "G" clef logo decal,
and brass Ingraham name plate on the cabinet bottom. The classic gold
dial is trimmed in black and ivory with a red centered pointer. AM
reception, loop antenna, and full back. 10¾"W x 7¾"H x 5½"D. Originally
sold for $17.95.
1941 Zenith AM Table Radio Model 6D-526 (Ingraham Cabinet)
1952 Crosley AM Clock Radio Model 11-121U (Black Bakelite)
In black bakelite, an early plastic, this radio was one of several styles in the early 50's referred to as "dashboard" radios because of their resemblance to an automobile's dashboard instrument cluster. Electronically restored. Clock keeps perfect time. There's a built-in electrical outlet on the left side where you could plug in an appliance such as a coffee maker (good old percolater) that would start up when the clock-radio turned itself on.
Late 1950's Zenith AM Clock Radio Model C624V (Pink & Black Plastic/Gold Trim)
This perfectly working radio has a built-in
electrical outlet on the back for your favorite appliance. Features a
"snooze Alarm" button on top.
1953 GE AM Clock Radio Model 548PH in rare RED Plastic
Rare red plastic case (not painted) with no cracks or chips; electronically restored. Complete with original back and knobs, phono jack, and a 110 volt outlet plug for your coffeemaker.
