Most Desirable Plastic Philcos - Printable Version

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Most Desirable Plastic Philcos - Ron Ramirez - 01-01-2006

In answer to a question on this subject that was brought up in Old Ron's Bar & Grill, here are a few examples of the most desirable plastic Philco sets.

[Image: http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/images/1939c%20-%20January%201939/1939c.j%20-%20Model%20TP-10/image_00.jpg]
Model TP-10, January 1939
This model was available in different colors.

[Image: http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/images/1939c%20-%20January%201939/1939c.k%20-%20Model%20TP-11/image_00.jpg]
Model TP-11, January 1939

[Image: http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/images/1940a%20-%201940%20(June%201939)/1940a.br%20-%20Model%20TP-21/image_00.jpg]
Model TP-21, June 1939 (1940 season)

[Image: http://philcoradio.com/gallery2/images/1940b%20-%201940%20(August%201939)/1940b.j%20-%20Model%20PT-35/image_01.jpg]
Model PT-35, August 1939 (1940 season)
Note how this model is a clone of the TP-10 above; only the decal is different.
There is also a variant of this model with brown grille, dial pointer and knobs. Other variations in color may exist.

There are others, but the most desirable ones seem to all have Tenite grilles like the four examples above, and usually bring $100-300 or so on our favorite online auction site. Usual disclaimers apply (price depends on condition and/or desirability, not all auctioned radios bring high prices, your mileage may vary, etc.).

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- Bill Hutchinson - 01-01-2006

Would these be bakelite? And the various colors then painted?

Also, what is the durability of the tenite grills?

Bill

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- Ron Ramirez - 01-01-2006

As far as I know, these are Bakelite, with Tenite grilles. As for the variants with bodies in different colors, I've never actually seen one so I can't say whether they are painted Bakelite or other molded plastic. All of the grilles of this style are Tenite, though.

The durability of Tenite is poor. Apparently a few of these have survived fairly well, but that is very unusual for Tenite. Just take a look at a 41-221, for example (quite different grille, but still Tenite) and you will see what I mean. The 41-221 is one of the Philcos that Larry at Old-Time Replications was thinking about reproducing, if you will recall my online poll on that subject.

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- PTurney - 01-02-2006

Happy new year everyone,

I just recently purchased a model TP-20. It's brown bakelite with tenite grille bars. Very similar to the TP-10 from 1939 but the TP-20 is, I believe, a 1940 model. I've posted photos on my website:- http://www.tuberadioland.com/philcotp-20_main.html

Regards,
Paul

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- Ron Ramirez - 01-02-2006

Paul - you are correct, the TP-20 is a 1940 model, produced between June and August 1939. In August 1939, Philco did away with all of the TP-series sets and reissued some of them with new PT-xx model numbers, adding the PHILCO name (Philco Transitone). Several new Transitones were also introduced at this time.

EDIT: Like all your sets, Paul, your TP-20 looks great!

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