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PHILCO PHORUM
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Additions to the June 1930 Philco line
In August 1930, Philco
added two new models to its radio lineup - one for the very wealthy, and
one which truly put Philco not only on the radio map, but in the Hall of
Fame.
The new Concert Grand was
basically a Model 296 in a much more ornate corner cabinet.
The other new model, the
Baby Grand (Model 20), was the first such offering by any of the major
radio manufacturers. (Some smaller radio makers had already begun
offering "midget" radios; the term "cathedral" or "beehive" would not
come into use until decades later, when they became collectible items.)
At the price of $49.50 less tubes, reaching the market ten months after
the 1929 stock market crash which marked the beginning of the Great
Depression, it was an instant hit, making Philco the number one radio
manufacturer in the industry. Philco would remain the top radio maker
until after World War II.
In October, Philco took
the "economy" radio idea a step further, introducing a new, small
console which was dubbed the "Baby Grand Console." The new model
contained the same chassis and speaker as did the Model 20 Baby Grand
(cathedral).
Throughout this time, the
Philco models which were put on the market in June 1930 remained
available.
| AUGUST 1930:
BABY GRAND (Model 20)
Here is Philco's very first
"cathedral" model. The circuitry is similar to the much larger
Model 77, but the parts are arranged on a much smaller and
lighter chassis.
Original selling price: $49.50
Number made: 343,903 (NOTE: This figure includes January 1931
Model 20 Revised or Deluxe)
Photo credit: John Mielke |
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CONCERT GRAND
A set made for the very wealthy, but
perhaps it was too "Grand" for the times. Due to economic
conditions, such a set could not possibly have sold very well,
and it didn't; making this model very hard to find today.
One needs to be seen to appreciate
how large this radio is. It was made to be placed in the corner
of a room; the back sides are beveled for this purpose.
Original selling price: $350
Number made: 300
Photo credit: James Warner |
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CONCERT GRAND (doors open)
This is how the magnificent Concert
Grand looks with its doors open. It also has fold-open record
storage bins on each side.
Photo credit: James Warner |
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OCTOBER 1930:
BABY
GRAND CONSOLE (Model 20)
The Model 20 chassis and speaker
was also used in this very compact floor model cabinet, which
made a "furniture" model radio affordable.
Original selling price: $69.50
Number made: 70,000 |
© 1997-2006, Ron Ramirez. All
rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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