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PHILCO PHORUM

Philcoradio.com < Gallery Index

Philco for 1931 (introduced June 1931)

THE FOLLOWING MARCH 1931 MODEL REMAINED IN THE PHILCO LINEUP: 46 Baby Grand. ALL OTHER JANUARY-MARCH 1931 MODELS WERE DISCONTINUED.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger photo below:

The Philco line was greatly expanded for 1931-32 and now included two battery models, two DC-only models, and quite a few AC models from 7 to 11 tubes including two radio-phonographs and even a chairside model.

Initially, all of the new Philco models were superheterodynes except for the TRF Model 46, which was a DC-only set. (Incidentally, the 46 Baby Grand was the only model carried over from March 1931.)

Four new Philco cabinets (112 lowboy, 112 highboy, 212 radio-phonograph, and 370 Lazyboy) were designed by the famous industrial designer, Norman Bel Geddes. These cabinets carried a special decal inside with a stylized NBG on the left side, and which stated, "This cabinet designed by Norman Bel Geddes."

MODEL 35 BABY GRAND
Designed for operation where AC or DC current was not available, such as farms and rural areas, the Model 35 is the battery-operated version of the AC Model 70. It uses the superheterodyne circuit. It may be distinguished from Model 70 in that it uses screws with rosettes to hold its heavy permanent magnet speaker in place.

Original selling price: Not available
Number made: 288,620 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 70 Baby Grand as well as March 1931 Models 21 & 46 Baby Grands, and early Fall 1931 Model 50 Baby Grand)

MODEL 35 HIGHBOY
A battery-operated chassis in a furniture cabinet that is identical in appearance to the Model 70 Highboy.

Original selling price: Not available
Number made: 120,220 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 46 & 70 Highboys)

MODEL 46 BABY GRAND
Continued in production from March 1931, Model 46 was designed to operate on 110 volts, direct current (DC) only.

Original selling price: $60.95
Number made: 288,620 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 35 & 70 Baby Grands as well as March 1931 Model 21 Baby Grand, and early Fall 1931 Model 50 Baby Grand)

MODEL 46 HIGHBOY
A new Highboy furniture cabinet for the Model 46.

Original selling price: $76.75
Number made: 120,220 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 35 & 70 Highboys)

MODEL 70 BABY GRAND
   Model 70 Baby Grand in walnut (left) and in mahogany (right)
Photos courtesy Ron Boucher (left), John Mielke (right)

The seven-tube AC version of this classic receiver. It is most often found in walnut, although mahogany versions also exist (as shown above at right).

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 288,620 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 35 Baby Grand as well as March 1930 Models 21 & 46 Baby Grands, and early Fall 1931 Model 50 Baby Grand)

MODEL 70 LOWBOY
This particular model was not a strong seller, and is difficult to find today.

Original selling price: $59.17
Number made: 4,900

MODEL 70 HIGHBOY
Photo courtesy Ed Locker

A very common and easily found Philco.

Original selling price: $65.75
Number made: 120,220 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 35 & 46 Highboys)

MODEL 90 BABY GRAND
   Early Model 90 Baby Grand (left) and later version (right)

This is the one. It has been referred to as "the epitome of antique radios." The classic styling has made this set and its smaller look-alikes, Models 21, 35, 46 and 70 Baby Grands, highly sought after for decades now.

Note that early versions had plainer bottom molding, and a 3/8" thick front panel. Later versions have fancier bottom molding and a 1/4" thick front panel.

Original selling price: $69.50
Number made: 106,050

MODEL 90 LOWBOY
Photo courtesy Nigel Featherston

A good-looking lowboy cabinet housing the 9-tube Model 90.

Original selling price: $89.75
Number made: 105,740

MODEL 90 HIGHBOY
Original selling price: $109.75
Number made: 20,890

MODEL 112 LOWBOY
Photo courtesy Terry Judkins

One of four Philco cabinets designed by Norman Bel Geddes. All four feature the half-round beading along the top edges and a special stylized "P" grille cloth (which, unfortunately, is not being reproduced).

Original selling price: $149.50
Number made: 28,857

MODEL 112 HIGHBOY
Another Bel Geddes cabinet, this one has sliding doors which reveal the set's dial, controls, and speaker grille.

Original selling price: $169.50
Number made: 12,043

MODEL 212 RADIO-PHONOGRAPH
Photo courtesy Rick Taylor

A large, ornate radio-phonograph combination which was also designed by Bel Geddes. Like the August 1930 Concert Grand, this model also had a front panel covered in a decorative cloth. And like the 211 radio-phonograph of January 1931, this model also featured a Capehart automatic record changer.

Original selling price: $295
Number made: 1,900

MODEL 270 RADIO-PHONOGRAPH
A more compact, more affordable, radio-phonograph; incorporating a single-play 78 rpm record player and a Model 70 chassis.

Original selling price: $110
Number made: 5,605

MODEL 370 LAZYBOY
The fourth of the Bel Geddes cabinets for 1931, and a radio which introduced a new type of cabinet style - the Chairside. It was designed to be placed next to a chair, with its controls easily reached from top.

Original selling price: $69.50
Number made: 16,285 (NOTE: Figure includes production of June 1932 Model 71LZ Lazyboy)

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