In the days before television, radios were pride of place in the living room. In the late 1930s prices were high and the wooden console radios of the era were an investment piece, but as material technology advanced, prices dropped and allowed for more creative freedom, resulting in some very interesting pieces. These days, the most collectible radios are high end consoles, models made with Catalin plastic, and of course, novelty models. Read on for some highly collectible examples…
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1. Tesla Model 308U “Talisman"
The introduction of Bakelite did wonders for mass production, and is pretty much the reason both telephones and radios quickly became common household items. This Tesla model, manufactured in Czechoslovakia in the mid 1950s, is highly sought after in the world of collectors due to its streamlined design and the unusual colour of its Bakelite casing. Although it was possible to produce it in other colours it was very difficult, so Bakelite is usually dark brown due to the use of ground walnut flour for strength in the final product. Most of the Tesla ‘Talisman’ models were also produced in this dark brown, making this maroon edition highly collectible and hard to find.
2. Emerson Mini-tombstone AU190
Although Bakelite made owning a radio achievable, the dark brown colour palate didn’t give designers many options. When Catalin appeared on the scene, the radio world suddenly became a lot more colourful as the resin could be easily dyed in clear, opaque, and marbled bright colours. This Emerson model came in marbled alabaster yellow, onyx green, tomato red, and lapis lazuli blue - quite a treat for the eyes when you consider the only real option until now was dark brown or wood. Catalin was used from the late 1930s, but only for around ten years as the manufacturing process was labour intensive and the resin itself was prone to cracks. The lack of UV light protection also means many of the original bright colours have faded, meaning a model in, or close to, its original condition is very very collectible.
3. KLH Model Eight FM
In the shape of an old broadcast microphone, this model only receives one channel - KDTA 1400. As part of an advertising promotion, retailers who bought advertisement air time would be given one of these radios to display in their stores. Being featured on the radio was a BIG deal at the time and it was a great way to impress customers, and an easy way for the radio station to reach more listeners. Multiple stations used this campaign throughout the 60s, with the last one ending around 1968. You can still find working models, but they’re only really helpful if you happen to have a radio station on the same frequency within range, and the cheaply manufactured speaker means they don’t sound that great anyway. These microphone shaped radios aren’t very rare and you won’t have to save your pennies to be able to own one, but the story behind them makes this model a great piece of radio history and a nice addition to any collection.