Welcome to the wonderful world of Antique Radios!
This CD-ROM edition of The Collector's Guide to Antique Radios features all of the photographs from the first, second third, and fourth books along with the latest pricing. Whether you're a newcomer to the fascinating hobby of vintage radio collecting or an "old timer" who has been building a radio collection for many years, we hope you find this CD-ROM to be an informative and helpful addition to the books.
You may notice several changes from the previous editions. First, because many radio collectors, especially newcomers to the hobby, are interested in the newer, more affordable plastic radios from the 1960s, we have expanded our listings of those sets. Second, you will no longer find any transistor radios listed here with the tube sets. Because transistors are fast becoming important collectibles in their own right, we have written The Collector's Guide To Transistor Radios, now in its second edition, in which you will find over 2,500 models listed along with over 350 full color photos - all exclusively on transistor radios.
Radio collecting is growing at a rapid pace and there are new clubs forming all the time. We recommend joining a club near you - it's a great way to meet others with the same interests.
Many of the prices listed in this CD-ROM are the same as or lower than they have been in previous book editions, due to the state of the economy in the last few years, as well as the high supply of and low demand for many models, especially the ordinary wood and plastic table sets as well as many console models. However, some radio prices have held the line or even increased, especially those of the ever popular Deco, streamlined, novelty and hard-to-find sets.
Catalin radios are still avidly sought after and are still the hardest to find in good condition radios around. Although Catalin prices were very high for a few years, recently they have begun to level off and in many cases even drop. Because there are so many factors that affect the price of Catalin sets - color, the smallest stress cracks, heat discoloration, the part of the country you're in - it is impossible to establish firm prices and we have chosen to generalize the pricing in this CD-ROM. You will find most Catalin prices followed by a "+," which means you should expect to pay at least this much for a set in good condition, depending on the above variables.
The pricing information in this CD-ROM is provided for the potential buyer and has been gathered from many different sources: regional and national radio meets, flea markets, auctions, private collectors, various antique radio classified magazines, etc. Our method is to gather as many prices as possible on each set and take an average to arrive at a fairly current figure. Keep in mind there is no "suggested retail price" for old radios. Pricing is extremely variable and depends on many factors, and for this reason we are now using a price range rather than a single price for each radio.
The primary factor when considering whether an old radio is "worth it" is CONDITION. We have tried to provide pricing that reflects sets in "good" condition, using the following guidelines:
1. Electronically complete. Although the set may not be working, all the electrical components, including tubes, are there and a minimal amount of repair would bring it to operating condition.
2. Cabinet in good condition. All knobs and other removable parts are in place. There are no cracks, chips or other highly visible damage to the case.
These prices in no way reflect sets in "MINT" condition - very few old radios fall into that category. There may be an occasional set that was very seldom or never used that may be close to or even mint, but most radios were a vital and functional part of the household and they will usually bear a few nicks and scratches and show some signs of wear.
A secondary factor in determining a fair price for an old set is where you happen to be at the time. Prices generally tend to be higher on the West Coast than the East Coast, auctions are usually more expensive than yard sales, etc.
Naturally if you have a radio for sale, you want to receive the best possible price. Keep in mind that radio prices are very volatile and are more dependent on condition than age. For example, we receive many phone calls and letters from people who have sets for sale, and we always ask very specifically about the condition. We have learned this the hard way - too many times we have been told that a radio has been "in storage" for years and is in "good" condition only to arrive and find a dirty set that has been sitting in a damp basement or hot attic for years, with a grill cloth full of cat scratches, peeling veneer, missing knobs, no tubes and the sellers expect to get top dollar because the set is OLD! Remember, "OLD" does not necessarily mean "GOOD!" To avoid disappointment, the best policy is to be realistic about your radio's condition when you contact a potential buyer.
1. Addresses - We have included addresses for as many companies as possible, along with brief histories of a few of the well-known companies. This is not necessarily complete information; many radio companies, especially during the 1920s, went in and out of business so fast, or merged with one another so often, or moved so frequently that it is sometimes impossible to pinpoint exact addresses and historical background.
2. Model Numbers - Model numbers are tricky critters! There seems to be no consistency to them sometimes; even within a given company's advertising, model numbers can be written several different ways. For example: A model #AR36-809 might be written AR-36-809 or AR36809, or even AR-36809! The best plan is to use a little creativity when searching for model numbers in this price guide. We have tried to list them in a logical numerical sequence, so try different combinations until you find the right one.
3. Style - There are many different types or styles of radios available. We have used various common descriptive terms in this price guide. The following is a basic description of each:
4. Year - We have tried to list the correct year for most of the sets listed; however, there is some flexibility here as many manufacturers overlapped models from one year to the next and many popular models were made for a number of years.
5. Description - We have included, wherever possible, the material of which the case is made, a general description of the set's shape, placement of the dial, grill and knobs, power source(s), bands, and any other information important to identifying each set. The following terms are frequently used in the descriptions:
6. Pictures - We have tried, to the best of our ability, to photograph only sets that are as close to original as possible. There may be a few pictures included here that show radios with replacement knobs or grill cloths, but in most cases the replacements blend well with the sets and should not be considered a detriment.
Keep in mind that this is a GUIDE only and it is was written to do just that - guide you with identification information and current pricing. Because there are so many variables to consider and radio prices are changing so rapidly, we make no guarantees that these prices are hard and fast but we do recommend that you use your judgement when considering the purchase of an old radio - if it is in good condition, the price seems fair according to the CD-ROM and you like it - buy it!