WSBE Rhode Island PBS – 2011 Spring Auction
Auction Ends: May 7, 2011 11:00 PM EDT

Collectibles

1942 Philco table radio - electronically restored and in good condition

Item Number
800
Estimated Value
275 USD
Sold
240 USD to 7702
Number of Bids
10  -  Bid History

Item Description

This beautifully restored, genuine wood table radio is a 1942 Philco model 42-355T. It features eight tubes and tunes in AM and Shortwave - both in use today - and E.H. Armstrong's original FM band, which is no longer used for broadcast.

This was the last year for Philco's "slant front" table models. The 42-355T includes pushbuttons that can be preset for tuning in local stations - same as with a car radio - and for switching between bands.

A local collector recently completed an electronic restoration and he also replaced the plastic front panel with a new one!

Philadelphia-based Philco was famous for strong-performing radios and when this one was new its owners could keep up with news of World War II both on local stations and via international programming on shortwave. But they also, no doubt, sometimes got away from it all with Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Fred Allen and Orson Welles - to name just a few stars from radio's Golden Age!

Donated By:

FRIEND OF RHODE ISLAND PBS