Philco for 1949
Overview
Philco offered a lower number of radios for the 1949 season, but this model year includes a few sets that have become highly collectible in recent years.
The LP record was introduced in 1948, and Philco took advantage of this by offering a number of radio-phonographs that could play the new LPs. They also offered a unit that could be attached to any radio or radio-phonograph, upon which the new records could be played (Model M-15).
Model Index
Introduced June 1948, with changes/additions made January 1949
Click on a thumbnail to see information and photos for each model:
Models
The 1949 Philco Line
Model 49-100
This model operated on 4 tubes and received AM only.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-101
Another four-tube model which receives the AM band only. The cabinet is brown.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-500
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These two five-tube, AM-only models continued from 1948, with new dial scales.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-501
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For many years, this Philco Transitone model has been known as "The Boomerang" in the radio collecting hobby because of its distinctive shape. This has caused it to be a highly sought after model. It uses five tubes and receives the AM band only.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-503
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Another five-tube, AC/DC, AM-only Philco, this model was made of Thermoplastic and available in Spruce Green and in Ebony.
This set, along with the 49-506 below, is known as "The Flying Wedge" due to the wedge pattern in the face of the radio.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-504
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Originally issued in 1941 as Models PT-2 and PT-4, respectively, the 49-504 and 49-504-I continued in the Philco lineup for 1949 mostly unchanged. They did receive new dial scales this year.
These sets also operated on AC or DC current, using five tubes. AM only.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-505
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This is an all-new Philco for the 1949 model year.
It has five tubes and receives the AM band.
It operates on AC or DC current.
It was available in two colors - walnut and ivory.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-506
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Two new "Flying Wedge" Philcos for 1949 with wooden cabinets and plastic grilles.
Five tubes, AC/DC, AM only.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-601
This portable radio receives the AM band and operates on battery power. It uses four tubes.
It was available in the following colors:
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-602
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Similar to the 49-601 above, the 49-602 not only operates on batteries, but also on AC or DC house current.
The 49-602 was available in maroon, tan, or green.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-603
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One of Philco's more unusual designs, this model could be made to stand on a table by opening it up. A metal cover inside kept prying fingers from touching the radio circuitry.
The cabinet is made of Bakelite, and has a leather panel on front.
It uses five tubes and can operate on AC or DC house current.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-605
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Yet another Philco portable designed to operate on batteries or AC or DC house current. It uses four tubes and a selenium rectifier, and receives the AM band.
The cabinet is made of ebony plastic.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-607
A repeat of the 1948 model 48-360, the 607 features a simulated alligator covering and a small tambour door which can be slid down to cover the dial and knobs.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-900
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The radio known among some collectors as "The Hippo" continued for 1949. The ebony black cabinet was new this year, replacing the previous walnut Bakelite version.
This radio uses six tubes, operates on AC or DC house current, and receives the AM band.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-901
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Some collectors call this "The Secretary." All of us can call it "very different."
The 49-901 uses one large thumbwheel for off-on and volume. By pressing down on this thumbwheel, its tuning can be changed to receive any one of six preset AM stations.
The radio receives the AM band only, using five tubes, and operates on AC or DC house current.
It was available in green or in ivory.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-902
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This six tube, AC/DC Philco model receives the AM band. It was made in Cocoa Brown plastic with an ivory grille.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-904
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This is the only radio in Philco's 1949 line to receive shortwave broadcasts (6 to 15.5 mc) in addition to the standard AM band. It has a brown plastic cabinet with an ivory grille.
It uses six tubes, and operates on AC or DC.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-905
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One of only three table model radios in Philco's 1949 line which receives the FM band as well as AM.
Another AC/DC model, it uses six tubes. The cabinet is brown plastic.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-906
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This eight tube AM/FM Philco model also operates on AC or DC current.
The cabinet is Cocoa Brown plastic.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-909
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Here is the only 1949 Philco table model to use a power transformer, which means it will only operate on AC household current.
It uses eight tubes and receives AM and FM.
It is housed in a wooden cabinet, finished in mahogany.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Models 49-1100 & 49-1101
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The 49-1101 is a nine tube Philco which operates on AC current and receives the AM and FM bands.
Model 49-1100 is in an identical cabinet, but receives AM only.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model M-15
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Columbia Records announced their new 33-1/3 rpm LP (long play) record in 1948. Philco's new 1949 lineup (which was introduced in June 1948) included this accessory LP record player, which could be connected to any radio or radio-phonograph to allow the new LP records to be played.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1401
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Identical in appearance to the January 1948 model 48-1401, the 49-1401's styling resembles that of model 49-501 (shown above). Because of this, this set is sometimes called the "Boomerang Radio-Phonograph" by collectors.
The set includes a five tube AM radio and a single play 78 rpm phonograph.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Models 49-1404 & 49-1405
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This five tube table model Philco received the AM band and included an automatic record changer.
Model 49-1404 includes a single speed (78 rpm) record changer.
Model 49-1405 includes a phonograph with two tone arms, which can play 78 rpm records automatically or the then-new 33-1/3 rpm LP records manually.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1600 & 49-1601
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Even in the early years of the postwar TV boom, Philco was still making floor model radio-phonographs.
This was their entry-level model for 1949.
The 1600 uses five tubes and receives the AM band. It includes a single-speed (78 rpm) record changer.
The 1601 includes a two-speed (33-1/3 and 78 rpm) record player with two tone arms (one for LP, one for 78). It is otherwise identical to the 1600.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Models 49-1602 & 49-1603
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Model 49-1602 includes an AM radio using five tubes and a 78 rpm automatic record changer.
The cabinet includes openings on the sides for record storage.
At mid-season, the model number was changed to 49-1603. The features remained the same.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Models 49-1604 & 49-1605
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Model 49-1604 also features an AM radio using five tubes, along with a 78 rpm automatic record changer.
At mid-season, the model number was changed to 49-1605.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1606
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Identical in appearance to models 49-1604 and 49-1605, the 1606 includes an AM-FM radio which uses 7 tubes plus two selenium rectifiers.
The mahogany cabinet has openings on either side of the record changer, for storage of records.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1609
Identical in appearance to the Janaury 1948 model 48-1284, the 1949 version featured reception of the AM and FM bands (no shortwave), along with a two-speed phonograph that played 78 rpm records automatically and the new 33-1/3 rpm LP records manually using a separate tonearm for the purpose.
The unit uses seven tubes plus two selenium rectifiers.
The cabinet includes space for record storage on either side of the phonograph.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1611
This is another AM-FM console coupled with a two speed phonograph with two tone arms; one for the older 78 rpm records, plus a lightweight tone arm for the new LP records.
The set uses seven tubes plus two selenium rectifiers.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1613
This model also includes a radio capable of receiving AM and FM signals as well as a two-speed phonograph which plays 78 rpm records automatically, and the new LP records manually.
The set uses eleven tubes.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown
Model 49-1615
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Philco's top of the line model for 1949 uses eleven tubes and receives the AM and FM bands. The record changer can play 78 rpm records automatically and the new LP records manually with a separate lightweight tonearm.
Original selling price: Unknown
Number made: Unknown