Hoffman P411

Hoffman P411 Solar

Manufacturer: Hoffman Radio Corp, California

Date: 1957

Size:

Transistors: 6 - 2N212, 2N216(2), 2N35, 2N228(2)

References: TSM-1

Comments: This radio is in absolutely fantastic condition! It appears in TSM-1, so it is an early set. I was set up a a club swap meet when this fellow approaches me and asked if I buy transistor radios. I said yes, fully expecting him to pull out a couple of Zenith Royal 500s and a few Hong Kong sets... Well, this was the first set that this antique dealer pulled out of his knapsack. He then told me he had at least a dozen more sets, and wanted to know whether I would like to make an offer on them... What do you think I said? What ensued was a kind of silent auction that stirred up a lot of excitement! I was fortunate to obtain this radio, a Sony TR-63, a Toshiba 6TP304, as well as four or so other sets.. What a day that was!

The story was that he went to an auction of abandoned property at a storage warehouse. Evidently, a millionaire bachelor lived in the Boston area at a promenant hotel. He enjoyed taking several trips abroad to sporting events. Each time he took a trip, he purchased a suitcase, and all the things he needed, including a new transistor radio. He then went on his trip, and upon returning, placed the suitcase in storage, and forgot about it.

The antique dealer had no idea what was in the suitcases he bid on, and hit a jackpot.. evidently, all items were first class and in perfect shape (gold, etc). The transistor radios were nothing special to him, and had mentioned that he had these to another dealer at an antique show (but did not bring them with him), and would be willing to let them go for $10-$20 apiece. His wife went out and purchased a price guide for transistor radios. The story goes that he was furious at his wife for spending so much money on these radios... Until they looked up the first radio.. The Sony TR-63.. I am sure that the dealer went home at least $2000 richer that day.. I wonder what his wife had to say?

This radio was made using cases supplied by Sony Corp and used in their TR-6 radio.

Alas, I am no longer the owner of this set.. It is enjoying greener pastures out on the west coast..



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