I have actually found a complete Philco 531 conesole that is available out of another collection nearby and I would like some advice on what to offer for it. Fact: it is the only one I know of in the area, it looks complete, and the cabinet looks good. Another fact: this guy is definitely NOT a lowball offer type. He wants me to make an offer on this set and I'd like to put it in my Philco collection to start buttoning it up. Also up for possible grabs from the same collector is the matching 1928 Philco table radio. Nice condition, but has the cord cut off and is missing the matching speaker. The console is my main interest though as my Philco collection is mainly the consoles. This unit even appears to have the original horseshoe magnet speaker in it yet. Sorry, I didn't have my camera for pictures.
Nice!!!
If he isn't a lowball offer type guy then he must have a price in mind for it. Without photos or knowing the electrical condition it's hard to pin down exactly what the set may be worth, but ordinary late 1920s consoles are not typically high dollar radios regardless of make. I have an idea of what I would pay, or at least the maximum I would pay, but it would depend on it's all around condition like whether it plays or not.
The model 531 apparently used the same seven tube chassis as the 511 series table sets, so that means a string of type #26 tubes and a a #71A output. What style of cabinet is this set in, a highboy or a lowboy? By the looks of things the model 86 version looks like a better buy in the lowboy cabinet since it would use an electrodynamic speaker instead of the old fashioned magnetic speaker, it also would use screen grid RF amplifier tubes like the type #24 and a pair of #71As in push-pull so it would be a better performer.
Regards
Arran
The radio is in the highboy cabinet with the door that opens down into a writing desk. The 86 is a neat model, but too close to the model 87 I already have. The cabinet looks good from what I can tell, though needs cleaned up. Can't tell a huge amount about the insides because the radio has what looks to be the original back on it. I did see 26s inside the one opening, so it probably is the seven tube arrangement.
Oh just get it if you can arrange transportation and afford it.
531:
http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1928.htm#f
Philco called this one a "Lowboy" even though it has long legs. Probably because this set is shorter than its big brother 551 which has even longer legs.
Yes, the 531 uses the same 7-tube chassis as the 511 series metal table models.
I really don't know what to suggest as to an offering price. Now, if that were a 551, I would be saying "BUY IT!!! BUY IT!!!" Because, the 551 version isn't seen very often.
The 551 does look very nice. Oddly, I constantly run across model 87 Philcos, but that is it for early models around here. The table model he has is indeed a 511 and looks nice as well, but no speaker.
He is wanting to find a broker or sight to privately sell off his radios in the near future and I'd like to snag this radio before he does. He has the rare chairside with the remote speaker as well, but now it's damaged because of a roof leak last winter.
I managed to snag the 531 and it is now in my Philco collection. Did a little cleaning and it is cleaning up well, with only two damaged spots in the veneer. It would not have lasted much longer in that back room it was in I think.
Good show! You don't often see them for sale!
Well, I definitely paid enough for it... But, that said I was happier once I got it home and did some initial cleaning. I'll post some pictures soon in a separate thread. Got a little veneer repair to do on the bottom of the door and the veneer is rippled on the rightmost edge of the top. Actually, the one spot that didn't have an Edison cylinder player sitting on it! This radio had four Edison Cylinder players sitting on it!