Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Rare Philcos?
#1

What, in your opinion, would be the top 5 or so rarest finds as far as Philcos from the 1930's to the early 40's? I'm curious so that when I'm out scouring the universe for "new" stuff, I'll know if I stumble upon something noteworthy. As an example, I own a restored Model 18X. The knowledge base (fall 1933) says approx 27,000 of these were made but that those figures included the 14X, the 1934 16X, 18X, 49X, 118X, and 144X. So, I would assume that nearly 80 years later that given those numbers, and accounting for attrition, that particular model would be fairly "rare" and desireable at least as far as Philcos go. Just wondering.
#2

I can add two from my own search list:

Early 680X with the top door -It took me 6 years to find a nice one. Its now next to my bed.

509X - Still looking for a nice and complete one of these.
#3

Agree with Bruce. Icon_thumbup Along with the two he mentioned, and without taking the time to look any of these up, here are some of the rarer Philco models I can think of right off:

1930 - Concert Grand
1933 - "Century of Progress" 16CPX chairside with separate speaker. Only 75 were made, and only one (so far) is known to exist.
Any Philco console radio-phonograph made prior to the 1941 season, save possibly for the 296 lowboy which isn't too difficult to find.

Bruce mentioned the early 680X. I would submit that the late version 680X with exposed dial and controls at the upper front of the cabinet is just as rare, if not possibly more so. The early 680X with dial and controls on top, hidden under the lid, is better looking, though.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#4

Model 97B (7500, but incl 32B, 34B, and 144B)

Model 23X (1461)

Model 28D/47D/118D (1000)

Model 118RX: (500)

Model 500/501X (1500)

Model 509X: 500

Model 43X: 950

Funny thing about Philco: in some cases low production numbers do NOT translate to HIGH value.
#5

How about any Philco Tropic in a console cabinet, as far as I know nobody has seen one, at least one of a 40-780X. In general the attrition rate is much lower on high priced sets, so you will see more 37 and 38-116s then some cheaper models that they made more of. But then again Philcos tend to hold up better over time then many other brands regardless of price or rarity.
Regards
Arran
#6

I know this is an old thread, but I thought my question might fit here.

How rare is a Philco 53C?

I have been checking eBay and radio attic with no sign of one for sale. I like these little "Cigar Box" Philcos. I have  2 Philco 54C with different cabinet styles and a 59S.  Icon_e_biggrin
#7

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1933a.htm#f

6,250 model 53C sets were made, yet they do not seem to come up for sale too often. I've owned two, and neither one had the original wooden back. I have a photo of one now, so one of these days I'll attempt to replicate the back for the one I now own.

The cabinet of the one I now have was in very bad shape when I bought it. I refinished it and repaired it as well as I could. While not perfect, it looks much, much better now.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#8

I would bring up the odd-ball model 17 I have that is a Phactory Phranken Philco. There couldn't have been many of them made for the 1939 season!

No matter where you go, there you are.
#9

I would expect that another range of rare Philco models may be the ones designed to operate from DC power mains only, not AC/DC but DC only. I've been keeping my eyes open for some of the Canadian market only models, there was a console model that had a very similar cabinet to a 40-180, but had 5 bands, it was called a 53-X, how rare they are I can't say, but they look interesting.
Regards
Arran
#10

what about the 41-212 Canadian Farm Model?? lol sorry guys I had to.....
#11

Oh my 38-116 is in my bedroom....Listen to it the most of all of my radios. Just love how she plays and the sound that comes out of it!
#12

(11-16-2012, 02:11 PM)TA Forbes Wrote:  Model 97B (7500, but incl 32B, 34B, and 144B)

Model 23X (1461)

Model 28D/47D/118D (1000)

Model 118RX: (500)

Model 500/501X  (1500)

Model 509X: 500

Model 43X: 950

Funny thing about Philco: in some cases low production numbers do NOT translate to HIGH value.
How many 23x radios have you guys seen around any ?
#13

How about a 38-1?
#14

(03-05-2015, 05:31 PM)Art Hoch Wrote:  How about a 38-1?

I've seen several on CL.  Dont think they are too rare.
#15

(03-05-2015, 08:48 PM)SteveJB Wrote:  
(03-05-2015, 05:31 PM)Art Hoch Wrote:  How about a 38-1?

I've seen several on CL.  Dont think they are too rare.

Are you sure they were "1's" with 5 vertical grille bars???  3's look a lot like them but with only 4 bars. and a lot more 3's were manf'd than 1's.




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
Jackson 715 not working
Now that you posted the schematic, I don't know why that Sprague electrolytic cap is across the meter, as it is not indi...MrFixr55 — 05:51 PM
HiFi (Chifi) tube amp build - but my own design.
What may be lacking in the PP Tube amps may be the 2nd harmonics, which some, especially RCA back in the day called &quo...MrFixr55 — 05:32 PM
Jackson 715 not working
Usually in an emission tester, the tube under test is measured as if it were a diode. So, some testers connect all the g...RodB — 04:17 PM
Restoring Philco 37-604C
Yep. F5 is green, D5 is Red. Red is Bad. Green is Clean.morzh — 01:30 PM
Jackson 715 not working
I did start to do that but I stalled out because I could not figure out how the grid and plate get voltage. In this diag...daveone23 — 11:52 AM
Restoring Philco 37-604C
(Insert Homer Simpson "DOPF" Here.) When all fails, look at the can. Took the Ron Ramirez advice, red Caig D...MrFixr55 — 09:23 AM
Philco 91 Speaker Replacement
From your text I am not sure if you intend to use the existing speaker with a resistor instead of the field coil. It wo...morzh — 08:44 AM
Philco 91 Speaker Replacement
My field coil is bad. I am still hoping to find an original, but if I can't I will go with a fitting Philco speaker, 125...dconant — 08:34 AM
Philco 91 Speaker Replacement
As Rod said, it is OK to use a fitting speaker, and then look for an original one. If you buy a Hammond 125 output tr...morzh — 08:15 AM
Philco 91 Speaker Replacement
Yes, I often have to substitute, then keep an eye out for an original. In the meantime, the radio is working and being e...RodB — 08:02 AM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently 4736 online users. [Complete List]
» 2 Member(s) | 4734 Guest(s)
AvatarAvatar

>