The item was sold in an instant but its worth looking at simply for the fun of it and hopefully it went to a true collector. I would have thought more money but hey...Im sure the seller did just fine.
Nice to see bakelite in that condition huh? I hope the buyer keeps it all original. And maybe the pics are good enough for gallery?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PHILCO-TRANSITON...7675.l2557
Amazing find! This being a 1942 model, perhaps someone with knowledge that radio production was about to cease for the duration of the war, purchased this "just in case", put it on the attic shelf and promptly forgot about it? Or perhaps it was a gift (Christmas 1941?) that was never used? Who knows for sure. One thing is for certain, 70 + year-old NOS radios don't turn up very often!
Nice isn't it? I see something like that and I think its gotta be like finding a roll or two of uncirculated silver dollars. The bakelite is just a trip to see in that condition.
Yes indeed! I want at least one NOS in my collection.
Now. I would, in THIS PARTICULAR CASE ONLY, salvage electrolytics (paper caps havevto go) by trying to reform them. If not possible, then, of course, change them. RESTUFFING ONLY. This one is worth the effort.
I would not touch the radio. I would put it back in the box and display box and all.
Steve
If you want to keep it as NOS and never play it, sure.
Even better, Ron! I was going through the photo gallery here to try to find it and guess I didn't go back far enough. I only went back as far as the 42-PT26.
It's a common enough model, with fairly predictable performance characteristics, that I think I would leave it just as it is, non functional. If I wanted a PT-26 in working order I would overhaul one that was not new old stock, but still in close to original condition. Which reminds me, I have one of the Canadian versions of this set downstairs, unfortunately I had to repair a crack in the cabinet and paint it. I would save the pictures posted of this set, they will make good reference photos for restoring other PT-26s like where the stickers are located and so forth. It's interesting how they used cloth backed tape to hold the box together.
Regards
Arran
P.S That seller is goofy and rather overpriced on most of his radios, that Philco was likely the only one worth anywhere close to his asking price, take this little gem for example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-195...27dfda1899
Rare? Worth $79.99? I don't think so. This series of portables was built between about 1955-59 and they built 10s or 1000s of the things, that one is on the older end of that range since it still uses the squiggled "M" logo.
Neat for sure. Did anyone notice the age related degradation of the power cord insulation?