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PHILCO PHORUM

Philcoradio.com < Gallery Index

Philco for 1929-early 1930 (introduced Fall 1929)

THE FOLLOWING JUNE 1929 MODELS WERE DISCONTINUED: 65 (all versions).

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger photo below:

Changes were occurring rapidly within the radio industry. As new tubes were introduced, new circuits were being developed to take advantage of the new tubes. Only a few months after the introduction of their 1929-30 radio line, Philco stopped production of Model 65 and introduced three new models.

Model 40 was Philco's first set designed to operate on DC current only, which was being used in some parts of the country although 60 cycle AC was well on its way to becoming the standard for most of the USA. The Model 40 used six tubes and its design was based on another new Philco, Model 76, a seven tube, screen grid TRF set.

The third new Philco was the company's best offering up to that time, and would remain so (with minor changes) until January 1931. Model 95 or Screen Grid Plus used 9 tubes and featured Automatic Volume Control, a method of controlling the amplification of the RF stages. This kept the volume at a fairly constant level, preventing loud "blasting" while tuning across the band.

Model 87 was retained in the Philco lineup, although its Neutrodyne-Plus design had been made obsolete by both the Screen Grid 76 and the Screen Grid Plus 95.

TABLE MODEL

MODELS 76 & 95
Illustration is representative of both Models 76 and 95 table sets, as both are identical in appearance.

You could now purchase a better table model Philco, especially if you bought the Model 95 version. The Model F-10 electro-dynamic speaker continued to be used with the new table models. However, for some reason, the table model versions never were very popular, as the console versions of these models consistently outsold the table models.

Original selling price: Not available (76), $97 (95)
Separate F-10 speaker: Price not available
Number made: 17,700 (NOTE: This figure includes Models 76 and 95 table models, as well as June 1929 Model 65 table model and June 1930 Models 77 and 96 table models.)

CONSOLES

MODEL 76 CONSOLE
This set is identical in appearance to the June 1929 Model 65 Console which it replaced. It now had seven tubes instead of six.

Original selling price: $95
Number made: 45,000 (NOTE: This figure includes June 1929 Model 65 consoles as well as June 1930 Model 77 consoles)

THE LOWBOY, EARLY VERSION (MODELS 40, 76, 87 & 95)
Model 95 lowboy (early version) shown; Models 40, 76 and 87 lowboy cabinets are identical.
Photo courtesy Kim Bowers

The new Philco Lowboy was very popular in its time; examples are easily found today. All of the early lowboy models such as the one shown above have a wood grille insert with intricate cutouts; sets made after approx. January 1930 do not have the intricate cutouts and use the "tapestry" grillecloth as used in Philco highboys and De Luxe highboys (see below).

Original selling price: Not available (40, 76), $129.50 (87), $149.50 (95)
Number made: 249,327 (NOTE: This figure includes June 1929 Models 65 and 87 lowboys)

THE LOWBOY, LATE VERSION (MODELS 40, 76, 87 & 95)
Model 76 lowboy (early version) shown; Models 40, 87 and 95 lowboy cabinets are identical.
Photo courtesy Bob Timms

An example of a late version Philco lowboy. This is a Model 76, with "tapestry" grillecloth. Note how this version does not have the wood grille insert with the intricate cutouts.

THE HIGHBOY (MODELS 40, 76, 87 & 95)
Model 76 Highboy shown; Model 40, 87 & 95 Highboy cabinets are identical.
Photo courtesy J. Thomas Lawson

This handsome set features fleur-de-lis on both sides, and double doors which open up to reveal the radio dial, controls and speaker.

Original selling price: Not available (40, 76), $149.50 (87), $169.50 (95)
Number made: 98,015 (NOTE: This figure includes June 1929 Models 65 and 87 highboys)

THE TUDOR HIGHBOY (MODELS 76, 87 & 95)
Model 87 Tudor Highboy shown; Models 76 & 95 Tudor Highboy cabinets are identical.

An unusual cabinet, this model featured oak veneer and different legs from other contemporary Philco models.

Original selling price: Not available (76), $155 (87), $175 (95)
Number made: 5,006 (NOTE: This figure includes June 1929 Models 65 and 87 Tudor Highboys)

THE HIGHBOY DE LUXE (MODELS 40, 76, 87 & 95)
NOTE: This cabinet has incorrect grillecloth. It should use the "tapestry" pattern.

This large cabinet features doors which slide open and out of sight. It also has the fleur-de-lis on left and right sides, like the Highboy.

Original selling price: Not available (40, 76), $205 (87), $225 (95)
Number made: 16,550 (NOTE: This figure includes June 1929 Models 65 and 87 versions)

© 1997-2010, Ron Ramirez. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.