Philco for 1930 (introduced June 1930)
Overview
Take a Model 76 and a Model 95, remove the local-distance switch from each, put the volume control where the local-distance switch was, add a four-point tone control switch where the volume control was, and voila - you have the 1930 Models 77 and 96!
These were the only changes made to the chassis. However, they received new cabinets for 1930; the exception being the table models and the console.
Model 40 also became a Model 41 with the addition of a tone control instead of a local-distance switch.
Philco had been a battery manufacturer for many years before they began to make radios. However, up to this point they had not built a radio that operated on batteries. That now changed with Model 30, a set designed for use where no electricity was available. It was essentially a battery-operated version of Model 96, as it also featured Automatic Volume Control (AVC).
Philco put a radio-phonograph model into production for the first time. Model 296 had a single play 78 rpm phonograph coupled with a Screen Grid Plus 96 chassis.
All of the new models now used translucent, backlit dials. Early versions had pointers on either side of the dial; these soon gave way to a "glowing pointer" mounted behind the dial.
Model Index
All Fall 1929 models were discontinued.
Click on a thumbnail to see information and photos for each model:
77 & 96 |
Console (30, 41 & 77) | Lowboy (30, 41, 77 & 96) | Highboy (30, 41 & 96) |
296 |
Models
Table Models
Models 77 & 96
The Table Models continued, unchanged in appearance from Fall 1929. As mentioned above, they now featured a four-point tone control instead of a local-distance switch.
Separate F-10 speaker: $25
Original selling price: $55 (77), $85 (96)
Number made: 17,700 (Note: This figure includes June 1929 Model 65 table model as well as Fall 1929 Models 76 and 95 table models)
Consoles
Console (Models 30, 41 & 77)
Another set which continued unchanged in appearance was the Console. It could now be purchased as a battery set as well as a DC-only or AC-only model.
Original selling price: Not available (30), $95 (41 & 77)
Number made: 45,000 (Note: This figure includes June 1929 Model 65 consoles as well as Fall 1929 Models 40 & 76 consoles)
Lowboy (Models 30, 41, 77 & 96)
The new 1930 Philco Lowboy was not quite a big seller as was its predecessor, but examples are still easy to find today.
Original selling price: Not available (30), $119.50 (41), $110 (77), $127.50 (96)
Number made: 130,904 (Note: This figure includes January 1931 Model 111 lowboys)
Highboy (Models 30, 41 & 96)
No doors or fleur-de-lis, but nevertheless, the 1930 Philco Highboy was (and is) a fine-looking cabinet.
Original selling price: Not available (30), $149.50 (41), $145 (96)
Number made: 43,098
Radio-Phonograph Combination
Model 296
This large and heavy set has a single play 78 rpm phonograph under the top lid, and record storage at the bottom of the cabinet, concealed by a drop-down door at lower front.
Original selling price: $198
Number made: 14,052