Philco for 1932 (introduced January 1932)
Overview
The shortwave spectrum made its first appearance in the Philco line in January 1932. The company offered a three tube shortwave converter, as well as two consoles which offered AM as well as shortwave coverage.
A new, small clock with a built-in radio also debuted in January 1932.
Philco began to work towards high fidelity reproduction with two new models, the 90X and 112X. These models featured a speaker which was tilted at a specific angle, which was though to allow higher frequency audio waves to better reach the listener.
Model Index
The following models were discontinued: 50 Baby Grand, 50 Lowboy. All other June/Fall 1931 models remained in the Philco lineup.
Click on a thumbnail to see information and photos for each model:
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| 4 Shortwave Converter | 51 Baby Grand | 51 Lowboy | 90X Console | 112X Console | 470 & 490 | 551 Colonial Clock |
Models
Model 4 Shortwave Converter
Just as many other manufacturers were doing at the time, Philco offered its own shortwave converter at the beginning of 1932. This unit covers three bands from 1500 kc (1.5 MC) to 19 MC. Unlike many converters offered by others, however, Philco's Model 4 had its own power supply.
It operated by being hooked up to an AM radio which was then tuned to 1000 kc. The SW converter was then turned on, and was used for tuning in shortwave stations. It works very well.
Original selling price: $39.50
Number made: 7,029
Model 51 Baby Grand
The successor to the Model 50 used a superheterodyne circuit and five tubes. Some Model 50 chassis have been found in this style cabinet.
Original selling price: $39.50
Number made: 23,800
Model 51 Lowboy
This cabinet is identical to the Fall 1931 Model 50 Lowboy.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: 39,000 (Note: Figure includes production of Fall 1931 Model 50 Lowboy)
Model 90X Console
Philco's first high-fidelity efforts were built into a special cabinet with a speaker board known as the "Inclined Sounding Board" which was tilted up at a specific angle. The intent was to aim high-frequency sounds, which were believed to travel in a straight line at the time, toward the listener.
Original selling price: $100
Number made: 5,000
Model 112X Console
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Another "Inclined Sounding Board" Philco, a pioneering high-fidelity effort on Philco's part.
Original selling price: $150
Number made: 25,500
Models 470 & 490
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Philco combined its Model 4 shortwave converter with a Model 70 chassis to provide all-wave coverage. The result was Model 470. The Model 4 chassis in this model was modified, removing its separate power supply; power to both chassis was supplied from the upper Model 70 chassis, which was specially modified to handle the extra load.
Model 490 also combined a modified Model 4 shortwave converter with a Model 90 chassis.
Original selling price: Not available (470, 490)
Number made: 6,000 (Note: This figure includes production of Model 470 & 490 consoles)
Model 551 Colonial Clock
A table or mantle clock with a Model 51 chassis. A compact, yet very attractive set.
Original selling price: $60
Number made: 8,000 (Note: Figure includes production of June 1932 Model 52 Colonial Clock as well as Fall 1932 Model 80 Colonial Clock)