EDIT: Indentified radio today---see my latest post below...


Hello All,

Saw interesting radio at local antique mall---antique end table on legs with two drawers with the bottom drawer containing a built-in radio... Looked factory, possibly late 30's-early forties, but early plastic dial was badly "fogged"...

Any idea what it was ? Gives an old meaning to "works in a drawer"...

John

Any idea what it was ?.............

Well ... an end table radio Those are very common .

That's something altogether different.

We need lots more information to identify it........a picture would be very helpful. There were several radios built into end tables, lamp tables and other similar furniture.

Thanks guys...

Didn't notice a name & my cellphone doesn't have camera, but will look more closely next time I'm there...

As mentioned, the dial plastic was badly "fogged"---but do recall that it had ivory bakelite "instrument" style pointer knobs which I don't think were original... And, seem to remember an "art-deco" style chrome with black design inlay in center... Also, think it had a frayed cloth covered cord... Not much, I know... Really struck me as I've never seen anything like it before...

John

Sivertone (Sears) radio end tables were big in the early 40's.
Here is one my wife has that see would sit around with her mother and father in the 40's and listen to

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sears_roeb_6494.html

Hello K5CXO,

Tried link several times, but get error stating some pages have been reorganized ?

Thanks...
John

Sears wasn't the only radio maker that offered end table radios. I have a Stewart-Warner 01-6D, a pedestal end table radio with a flip-down door over the dial. (I'll bet other catalog store radios like Wards Airline and Spiegel Air Castle were also available as end table radios.)

End table radios tend to use moderately sized table model radio chassis -- 5 to 7 tubes with AC power.

If you post the tube lineup and tube count, it might narrow the search. (Don't forget to mention if it has an eye tube.)

let's try this,http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sears_roeb_6494.html

Here's one on Denver CL. Probably AA5 chassis.

That's a Wards Airline. I have one. That one has been refinished. Also Bendix made one with the dial that only showed up when it was on.

These Bendix are very common . The faux wood finish is missing on the front of the dial on the one pictured.

Thanks Guys for responses & pics... Glasdave---that link worked fine...

Forgot to mention that the radio is actually inside the lower ( 2nd ) drawer & is visible when
drawer itself is pulled out... The faceplate of the radio is horizontal & recessed enough into drawer cavity to accommodate the knobs, so one is actually looking "into" drawer to operate it. And do think this table also has a drop leaf or leaves... Looks much older than pictured sets...

John

One usable drawer at the top and a radio in the bottom drawer sounds like a old hospital bedside cabinet radio. A lot of times the radio was built into a custom cabinet to match the decor.

Stopped by antique mall again today & looked more closely at radio---had a tag stating it was a Wilcox-Gay in Duncan Phyfe drop-leaf end table... And the knobs which at first glance looked like old instrument type actually had a "stair-step" "Art-Deco" style to them & are probably original... The drawer that radio is in isn't very deep, so doubt there is much to it...

Thanks for your responses...
John

I too have a wilcox gay end table. Top drawer empty bottom drawer with tube radio. Radio is in working order. I also is a drop leaf. Table sits on turned spindle with four curved legs. The endcaps are lion paws.