I am not sure how rare the Arborphone model 27 is, but only two sold at Radio Attic since 2005 and two on ebay in last year. Do not remember other ebay listings on the Arborphone model 27 in previous years. In second picture I added a Triad 27K to 8 ohm audio transformer and drive a 12" Oxford speaker in a Radiola 100 speaker.

Hi Jim. Nice radio, but not very rare. Maybe $250 to $350 or so in excellent condition and working. Two or three a year are sold on Ebay.

W.F. Main Splendid-Grand, manufactured by Klitzen.

Very cool radio Jeff.

Jeff:
That is identical to a Michigan M-12 (MRC-12). Any chance someone stuck a WE Main tag on the cabinet? Doesn't look like any Splendid I've seen. But...I haven't seen everything.

Be careful with the tube sockets. They're mounted on rubber shock mounts. My experience is those rubber mounts are dried out and brittle... bump them wrong, twist a tube too hard getting it in or out... and the mounts will shatter.

The Splendid-Grand has the same components as the MRC-12, that's for sure. Like my parts counterman used to say "It's the same, but different." Both have the "Manufactured by Klitzen..." tags inside.

Looks to be less expensive to manufacture. Single layer front panels instead of the double panel with the little windows. Standard-type knobs instead of the machined levers on the MRC-12. And the cabinet looks cheaper; I don't know the original finish but it looked to be painted black, not a furniture-type finish.

I added photos of the Klitzen tags, note the sequential serial numbers. Also a photo of the mentioned tube sockets. Yes, you need to hold the socket from twisting when inserting the tubes.

This radio has good transformers and it plays. Very touchy to get the regeneration just right.

I haven't found much information on this well made radio beyond the reference shown.
In an August 1922 QST a reference was made to OWL with the same logo that appears on this set.

The OWL (Ogden Wireless Laboratories) was stated to be located at 1012 Ogden Ave in New York City.
In addition, a friend sent me a copy from the Highland Democrat newspaper of Peekskill, NY.
quote "Arthur T. Shultz of New York has been looking at sites in Canopus for a short wave broadcasting station. Mr. Shultz is connected with the Ogden Wireless Laboratories"

I haven't as yet further researched the company.

My big question is :
Was this the same Clarence E. Ogden that started Kodel in Cincinnati?
The dates don't seem to quite fit...

My guess is they were simply referencing the street name they were on for the company name.

-Steve

I agree with Steve, probably just the street name.

I tend to agree with you guys.

This is a set from a really short lived New England radio manufacturer. This is a 1-Tube dry cell set from the New England Radio Manufacturers Co. Boston.

The company trademarked the "Nermco" name in 1922 claiming use since May, 1922.


Here is the set.








The company apparently made a few models besides the 1-tube set. Here is an advertisement for probably a three-tube set.


An October, 1922 QST advertisement listed a Nermco "Standard" and a Nermco "De Luxe."

Very interesting Alan, and a new one on me.
Always like to see early New England radios.
I am making a hopeless attempt to list them all but probably never will finish.
Thanks for the addition to the thread.

Here's one you probably haven't seen. It's an unusual model of Chelsea Radio. I've not found any mention of it or pictures in all my years of Chelsea research. From the inside you can see it's clearly a Super 5, of which there are 3 popular configurations of. One has a wood decorative slant faced cabinet with a wood face and the same dials as this one and a metal tube chassis, one has a less decorative slant faced wood panel cabinet with Bakelite dials and metal tube Chassis, and the third is a less decorative slant faced Bakelite panel, with Bakelite dials and cabinet mounted tube sockets.

Very nice radio Al, thanks for sharing.

These two were made by Rollo or Roll-o Radio Co. of Cincinnati. I heard somewhere that this company evolved into another brand name.
Anyone have any info?
Anything would be appreciated.


New information about this company

1920s
9 April 1924 sees the incorporation of Roll-O-Radio Co. as a new business in Cincinnati, Ohio, with premises on Pearl and Race Streets in 1925 and on Third and Sycamore Streets from 1926 to 1930.[17][18][19] As its name suggests, the company specializes in selling radio kits, including crystal sets and power supplies.

1930s
On 1 June 1931, Roll-O-Radio Co. changes its name by charter amendment to "Perfect Manufacturing Company (Inc.)".[23][24] After their Marx-Flarsheim advertising agency merges with the Archer Company in Cincinnati, president Joe J. Marx and treasurer Henry B. Flarsheim enter the manufacturing business with Roland R. Bollman of the Perfect Manufacturing Company in Cincinnati.[25] Both Flarsheim and Bollman retire in 1935, when Marx, president, purchases the entire stock of the Perfect Manufacturing Company, now based in Oakley, Ohio.[26] The firm’s So-Lo Works division makes a rubber salve for resoling worn-out shoes during the Great Depression.[27] The advertising slogan "Millions now use SO-LO to fix shoes for as low as 1¢ a repair" hints at the name’s possible origin.

The Radio Shop, Sunnyvale, Type S Special.







When picked up early this past March the set was missing the tapped coil, variocoupler, and two of the dials. The audio transformers were open and the rheostats resembled porcupines. Fortunately I had a physically near identical variocoupler in my stash and the tapped coil is electrically equal to that used in the Grebe CR-5 and CR-18. The circuit appears to be near identical to that of the Grebe CR-18. I replaced the audio transformer cores with a good pair from General Radio and swapped the Radio Shop labels onto the transformers. Rheostats were rewound using annealed stainless steel resistance wire of similar diameter and resistance. The two missing dials were reproduced using nickel plated electroformed copper for the dial and epoxy resin for the knobs. I have yet to add a couple missing buss bar type wires and to finish detailing the front panel.

Norman

"In addition, a friend sent me a copy from the Highland Democrat newspaper of Peekskill, NY."

(ogden wireless ad)

Sounds like a sketchy area.....

Nice, Norman! I remember that radio when it was mentioned here by someone who was dealing with an estate. Since he was local to me, I offered to help the guy sort through his tubes and things to see if there were items that should go together, but he did not respond to that. He did ask me if I wanted to beat your offer on the Radio Shop receiver, but I couldn't quite bring myself to do that...

Here is my Radio Shop Model "S", I guess not "Special" since it has no audio circuitry. The coil needs a little help! I have spent a lot of time looking through my stuff and online for the green silk wire, I believe I have that covered now, but awaiting "indoor projects" weather here in sunny California!

Wow! I am in awe!

Great work Norman, it looks fantastic. Amazing save.

-Rodney