Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - Printable Version
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+--- Thread: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! (/showthread.php?tid=22609)
Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - lisamarlene - 07-09-2021
Hi folks, new user here.
In helping my mother-in-law go through a century of family treasures stored in her box room, I found a Transitone from what I can only guess to be 1940-1942.
I have looked at every photo of every model in the library on this website, and it isn't pictured! The reason I believe it is from those three years are the breadbox-style rounded front on the top, and the two knobs below the dial, similar to other models in that era.
I've noticed that there are a few models from that date range that have no photo or description available.
Can anyone help identify Oma's radio?
Thanks so much!
Lisa
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cZGEgxwfeX4z0xIDDSn7bOGs3T7VVNug/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1caXNhFGX6OkDdzMuRYZMQwYvToMyOaL8/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cs_aEUIhyjSySsMZyYkCzTb9lAqg4yig/view?usp=sharing
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - LarryFS - 07-09-2021
Welcome Lisa! I think your guess is very good. The dial pointer on Oma's radio has a distinctive center area of concentric circles. The only Transitone I can find with that dial pointer is a Model TH-18 that was introduced in June 1939 for the 1940 model year (see https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1940a/ and scroll down to the Transitone model photos). The TH-18 isn't like the radio you have; but, note that there are two radios listed in the group that have no photos. Maybe Oma's is a TH-9 or a TH-22. My guess is the TH-9; but, I'm not a Philco expert. I'm sure a real expert will chime in.
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - mikethedruid - 07-09-2021
I just checked the schematic for the TH-9, TH-18, TH-22 (same schematic) and this radio cannot be any of those because they all have 2 band coverage, 540 - 1720 KC in all three, and 3 - 10 MC in the TH-9, 5.5 - 19 MC in the TH-18, and 7 - 24 MC in the TH-22. This mystery radio is only BCB.
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - BrendaAnnD - 07-09-2021
The set appears to be one of the one (or very short run) off sets of the era. It resembles several others in the dial/knob configurations, but the cabinet is different. Also odd is the fact it is using tubes like 47 and 59, which were largely out of use by 1939, indeed most sets in the 1938 model year were using octals.
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - Radioroslyn - 07-09-2021
Hi Lisa and welcome to the Phorum,
I think what you have is a sort of a mutt all be it all Philco. The chassis is from a 39-6, the dial might be from TH-1 Transitone, and the cabinet an undocumented one. My thought is that Philco bought Simplex Radio about time. They were making some Transitones for Philco. This set may have been put together from spares to clear out inventory.
Service info for the 39-6: https://philcoradio.com/library/download/service%20info/yearbooks/1939/split/Part17-Philco%201939%20RMS%20Year%20Book.pdf
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - lisamarlene - 07-11-2021
Wow! Thank you all so much for your expertise!
Now I don't feel so bad about not being able to figure it out myself.
So, since my MiL asked me to look into this radio for sale (along with a Delco tube radio from the same era), how in the world to I go about valuing this "mutt"? Especially given that the electrical wires are cracked so it can't even be plugged in?
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - klondike98 - 07-11-2021
Value is difficult but the Philco you have is missing the escutcheon and unrestored. Personally I probably would not pay more than $25 for it and I like to do restorations. The Delco depends on what model, its condition etc. You can check ebay but realize many of the asking prices there are pretty inflated. Others will have different opinions on value I expect.
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - John Bartley - 07-11-2021
I think it's a FrankenPhilco. The chassis may be Philco, but the Cabinet is something else I think, and I've seen ot before, but I can't think of it right now.
RE: Mystery Transitone, no photo in library! - lisamarlene - 07-12-2021
John gets cookies for "FrankenPhilco". LOL!