01-23-2016, 04:51 PM
For a good many years now I've looked for a 51-1731 Philco am/fm radio/phono console, (the reason) my Dad bought one new in 50 or 51 from his friend who was a dealer in Gainesville, GA. I recall playing the "new" 45's some of which were translucent, orange, pink, blue, and green, most were the plain black ones. You had to snap in the little adapters and then stack the records and listen to about 12 in a row. I still have a couple and they are barely playable anymore.
Dad would listen on Sunday afternoons to that awful (at the time) elevator music on fm. And my Mom would listen every morning to her favorite local am shows and music.
Dad had built our first tv after WW11, a tiny round screen, and he would get it up and going if we wanted to watch one of the Atlanta stations.
About 1953 or so Dad traded in the Philco to his dealer friend for a nice new tv. I really missed the Philco.
Just before Christmas I was checking the local Craigslist ads for antique radios, what did I find a picture of a console, it said "Phillips Radio for sale" I knew what it was when I saw the grainy photo. I contacted the owner made a couple of offers and picked it up for $100.
The odd thing is, I've seen ads for these all over the country, most were in bad condition and more money, an no one would ship to me. This one was about 25 miles from Gainesville, had been in their family since sometime in the 50's. I have to wonder, is this the one?
I've since recapped the chassis, replaced the idler wheel and turret, cleaned the cabinet, it works and looks almost like brand new. It now lives in a place of honor in my dining room.
Dad would listen on Sunday afternoons to that awful (at the time) elevator music on fm. And my Mom would listen every morning to her favorite local am shows and music.
Dad had built our first tv after WW11, a tiny round screen, and he would get it up and going if we wanted to watch one of the Atlanta stations.
About 1953 or so Dad traded in the Philco to his dealer friend for a nice new tv. I really missed the Philco.
Just before Christmas I was checking the local Craigslist ads for antique radios, what did I find a picture of a console, it said "Phillips Radio for sale" I knew what it was when I saw the grainy photo. I contacted the owner made a couple of offers and picked it up for $100.
The odd thing is, I've seen ads for these all over the country, most were in bad condition and more money, an no one would ship to me. This one was about 25 miles from Gainesville, had been in their family since sometime in the 50's. I have to wonder, is this the one?
I've since recapped the chassis, replaced the idler wheel and turret, cleaned the cabinet, it works and looks almost like brand new. It now lives in a place of honor in my dining room.
