The Vanishing Point: Part 2 Dad's Magnificent Radio Collection (a work in progress)

Monday, November 14, 2022

Part 2 Dad's Magnificent Radio Collection (a work in progress)

This is the elegant Deforest Crosley Grandfather Clock Radio from 1931. I believe all grandfather clocks chime when they are wound but it wouldn't turn on the radio at a preset time like modern clock radios. The cabinet beneath the clock face pulls down to reveal the radio controls. Click here to see details of the insides.

Clearly this collection is too large for a single blog post so I am breaking it down into manageable sections by cutting and pasting. Pictures will gradually disappear from the original post.

The video below features a gallery of Dad's radios with a gripping radio thriller from 1938: The Shadow in The Phantom Voice.

Imagine the family gathering around this Zenith Tombstone radio from 1936 to hear the thrilling adventures of The Shadow.

Or this Rogers Console wood lowboy. The year of manufacture is a mystery but these floor models were popular in the 1930s.

This Atwater Kent Cathedral radio from 1933 had police bands. Look at the lower center knob. It went from Police to Tone. Wealthy gangsters like Al Capone could listen in at their hide-outs to find out if the cops were on their trail.

Rogers Majestic kitchen radio from 1950, broadcasting Joe Friday's adventures.

Another Northern Electric Baby Champ. The year is unknown but the style says late 50s or early 60s.

Rogers Majestic 1949

Here's a nice wooden RCA model from 1949

I asked Dad if the house was on fire, Mom was already safe and he had just enough time to rescue one radio, which would he save, he chose the matching pair of Crossley radios from 1950 below. They really do belong together.

I was a bit surprised he didn't choose something more ancient like this one but then I realized the companion radios would be a lot more portable for a race with time than this steel Atwater Kent table radio with steel external speaker from 1929. It is at least a 2 man lift and might even survive a fire.

Smart choice, Dad.

Sonora. 1946

Philco tombstone

Yes. it's a radio. Three guesses on where the antenna is.

Zenith portable with a flexible handle and a round dial.

Another Sparton from 1949.

Hmmm. 1950s? Remove the center piece for long playing 33 1/3 albums.

Sparton. Year unknown. Sometime in the 50s.

Philco Tombstone from 1937.

Cylinder records! Pre-dating flat ones.

CD single from an early 90s Moosehead beer promotion. Molson had indie grunge rock bands but the New Brunswick brewery chose to go for "maritime" music.