Television - Mario Bellini Condor Samo 12

An exceptional example of late-1960s Italian industrial design: the Condor SAMO 12 portable television, designed by Mario Bellini in 1968, preserved in its vivid original “Aragosta” colour and accompanied by its original factory box, original antennas and cables.
The Condor SAMO 12 is much more than a vintage television. It belongs to the generation of Italian objects in which consumer electronics began to be conceived not simply as technical appliances, but as an integral part of the modern interior.
Designed by Mario Bellini in 1968, the SAMO 12 is today represented in the Architecture and Design collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York, where it is catalogued in ABS plastic, glass and metal. The MoMA records the model with dimensions of approximately 27.6 × 33 × 28.3 cm.
Bellini’s work during this period explored the relationship between technology, new synthetic materials and the domestic environment. The SAMO 12 is an excellent example of this approach: a technical object given a distinct physical identity through colour, rounded geometry and highly integrated controls.
A television for a new domestic lifestyle
The design reflects an important change taking place during the late 1960s.
Television was becoming less tied to a fixed piece of furniture in the living room and more personal, compact and portable. The SAMO 12 responds to this shift with its relatively small format, integrated carrying solution, compact CRT and antennas incorporated directly into the design.
Encyclopedia of Design discusses the SAMO 12 precisely in this context, highlighting Bellini’s ability to turn an everyday electronic appliance into a visually expressive object. The publication relates its rounded form and intense orange finish to the more optimistic and colourful design language of the 1960s, while also stressing the importance of portability and flexibility in the evolution of consumer electronics.
The result is a television with a distinctly Pop / Space Age character, but without becoming merely decorative: practically every visual element also has a functional purpose.
Original “Aragosta” finish
This particular example is finished in a spectacular glossy orange-red colour.
Most importantly, the surviving original Condor factory box identifies the colour itself as “ARAGOSTA”, alongside the alternative “BIANCO” version.
This is especially valuable from a collecting perspective because it directly documents the original factory colour designation.
The strong Aragosta finish is one of the defining elements of the object, emphasising the rounded ABS shell and making the television read almost as a piece of sculpture when viewed from the side or rear.
Exterior design
The television has a compact, softly rounded body with a large curved 12-inch CRT screen dominating the front.
The dark surround creates a strong contrast with the bright cabinet, while the elegant Condor script logo beneath the screen gives the front a clean and unmistakably period appearance.
The sides are beautifully integrated into the overall design. Rather than using a conventional flat rear cabinet, Bellini shaped the body as a continuous volume, with ventilation openings incorporated into the curved surfaces.
The recessed control area is another particularly attractive detail.
The television retains its series of original black controls with circular metallic centres, visually combining technical precision with the strong graphic character of the cabinet.
Original antennas
The television retains both original antenna systems:
the telescopic rod antenna
the distinctive circular loop antenna
Together they give the television much of its unmistakable silhouette.
The rear also retains the original VHF/UHF antenna connections and the original connecting cables shown in the photographs.
Ingenious tilting support
A particularly clever detail is the small retractable rectangular support underneath the television.
When extended, this raises and slightly tilts the body, allowing the screen to be viewed at a more convenient upward angle.
The support itself carries the original SAMO 12 identification label.
It is a very simple piece of engineering, but it perfectly illustrates the way the SAMO 12 combines visual simplicity with practical function.
When retracted, the support almost disappears into the lower part of the cabinet.
Functionality
The television has been tested before listing.
The following functions have been verified:
The television switches on and off correctly.
The CRT illuminates and displays the characteristic analogue television “snow”.
The audio section operates and the volume can be adjusted.
Because conventional analogue terrestrial television broadcasting for which this television was originally designed is no longer available, reception of normal contemporary television programmes has not been tested.
For this reason, the television is not described as completely restored or guaranteed in every electronic function.
It is offered as a working vintage design object, with the tested functions accurately described above.
Condition
Considering its age, the television is in very good overall cosmetic vintage condition.
The Aragosta ABS cabinet remains remarkably vivid and glossy and presents extremely well from normal viewing distance.
There are normal minor signs of age, storage and use consistent with a television dating from the late 1960s.
The principal cosmetic defect is located on the front plastic surround adjacent to the CRT.
There is one localised area consisting of three connected fracture lines, extending approximately 4 cm in total.
The damage has been intentionally photographed in close detail and is clearly visible in the images.
It has not been concealed, filled or disguised.
Apart from this localised defect, the cabinet remains highly presentable and the television retains a particularly strong visual impact.
Original factory box
One of the most desirable aspects of this example is the survival of its original Condor cardboard box.
The box carries the period factory markings:
CONDOR
AGRATE B.ZA (MI)
TV. SAMO 12"
and the original colour options:
BIANCO
ARAGOSTA
The original box naturally shows storage wear, creasing and signs of age, visible in the photographs, but remains a particularly important part of the lot.
For a design collector, the box adds both documentary and display interest and helps preserve the historical identity of the object.
Museum and design references
The importance of the model is well documented.
The Museum of Modern Art, New York holds a Condor SAMO 12 designed by Mario Bellini and dates the design to 1968. MoMA lists the materials as ABS plastic, glass and metal and records the dimensions as 27.6 × 33 × 28.3 cm.
Mario Bellini is represented extensively in the MoMA collection, including other major works in electronics and product design from the same period.
The SAMO 12 is also specifically discussed in Encyclopedia of Design in its article Mario Bellini’s Visionary Approach to Consumer Electronics, where it is presented as an example of Bellini’s ability to combine technological function with a new, expressive visual language for domestic electronics.
Dimensions and weight
Approximate dimensions:
Width: 33 cm
Height: 27.6 cm
Depth: 28.3 cm
Screen: 12 inches
Approximate weight: 7 kg
The dimensions correspond to those recorded by the Museum of Modern Art for the SAMO 12.
Included in the lot
Original Condor SAMO 12 television
Original telescopic antenna
Original circular antenna
Original cables as photographed
Original retractable SAMO 12 tilting support
Original Condor factory box
All items included are shown in the photographs.
Seller Terms
The item is offered in original, vintage and pre-owned condition and has been described accurately and in good faith.
Before listing, the television was carefully inspected, tested and documented with detailed photographs showing its actual cosmetic condition and the accessories included.
The functions specifically mentioned in the description have been tested and verified.
The television will be tested again before shipment as a final condition check.
The photographs form an integral part of the description and accurately document the condition of the television, including the described crack in the front surround, the antennas, controls, cables, cabinet and original box.
Due to the age of vintage electronic components, long-term electronic performance cannot be guaranteed after transport or future use. No function should be assumed beyond those specifically stated as tested in this description.
The item is primarily offered as an important vintage design and collector’s object.
The television and its original box will be carefully protected using suitable shock-absorbing materials.
Particular attention will be given to the CRT, cabinet, antennas and control areas.
The item will be professionally packed and double-boxed, with the original box itself protected inside the shipping packaging wherever dimensions permit.
Shipping is tracked.
The item is handed over to the carrier in the same condition as documented before dispatch.
The buyer is responsible for providing a correct delivery address and for collecting the parcel within the carrier’s specified timeframe where applicable.