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Why so many Philcos? - Printable Version

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Why so many Philcos? - Groundhog74 - 11-15-2012

Since I started this hobby early this summer, I have noticed that the largest majority of the 1930's and early 40's wooden radios I see in antique shops, on Craigslist, or elsewhere are Philcos. What are your opinions on why this is? I live in central Indiana. Is this a regional thing? Did Philco sell that many more radios than anyone else? Were the Philcos better made so they lasted longer? Just curious.

RE: Why so many Philcos? - codefox1 - 11-15-2012

Yes. a lot of sets made, and yes, price point and value and pretty well made and good performers even today when properly maintained. I reckon they had pretty good distribution in the US and Canada, and also had export partners elsewhere.

So you can get a common old Philco set for a few dollars and have some fun and keep your mind active whilst restoring it, and if you are extremely lucky, you might break even if you wish to sell it in the future. The kids don't want it, trust me.

RE: Why so many Philcos? - Ron Ramirez - 11-15-2012

What Codefox said. Icon_smile

Philco was the USA's leading radio manufacturer from 1930 onward, so it is natural to find more Philco sets than other brands.

RE: Why so many Philcos? - Alan Douglas - 11-15-2012

For 1934, when other manufacturers were still eating Philco's dust, Philco sold 1,250,000 radios. The next-best maker (RCA) sold 500,000, followed by Crosley, General Household Utilities (auto radios) and Sears Roebuck at 300,000 each, three more at 200,000 and the rest at 100,000 or less.
Not too shabby for a company that only began making radios in 1928.

RE: Why so many Philcos? - Arran - 11-15-2012

I remember someone telling me what the top four manufacturers were in Canada during the 1930s but I'm not sure of the order. The largest, beyond a shadow of a doubt, was Rogers-Majestic/Canadian Radio Corporation, they sold one of every four radios made in this country, under the Rogers name, Majestic, or DeForest-Crosley. I'm sure that next in line would be Philco followed by RCA or Canadian General Electric, then either Marconi or Canadian Westinghouse, and then Grimes-Phonola/Electrohome. Finding the statistics maybe more difficult, in this region you would think that General Electric was the largest followed by Philco, then Deforest-Crosley, RCA, Westinghouse, and Sparton, because of the dealerships they had.
Regards
Arran

RE: Why so many Philcos? - chris25260880 - 11-16-2012

I have many editions of a magazine called Radio Weekly from 1935-1940 it was the Bible of the Radio distribution and sales industry.
It also included electrical white goods such as refrigerators, stoves and ironers. Without question the leaders at the time were:
Philco
GE
Crosely
RCA
Zenith

Tier 2 included:
Westinghouse
Motorola
Fada

RE: Why so many Philcos? - Groundhog74 - 11-16-2012

Thanks that's exactly what I was looking for. Some historical perspective on the times. It's interesting. I have always, since I was a teenager, been interested in the 1930's. Movies and especially the machinery. Cars (I used to own a 1939 Oldsmobile), aircraft, ships etc. etc. One of my favorite documentaries of all time was one I saw about the 1939 world's fair. It had a lot of original footage. Another favorite of mine is Jean Shepherd, an author who grew up in Hammond Indiana in the 30's and wrote many hilarious stories about that time. The movie "Christmas Story" about the kid wanting a Red Ryder BB rifle is based on several of his stories. I sometimes think that perhaps in a previous life I must have been hanging around at that time. I guess it was inevitable that at some point I'd start collecting 1930's radios.

RE: Why so many Philcos? - DeckApe - 11-19-2012

It must be a regional thing. I'm in Washington state and there aren't that many Philcos lurking about, at least not by comparison; perhaps our "remoteness" (every East Coaster knows there's nothing west of the Mississippi Icon_lol ) we're more of a catalog-purchase territory. I quite honestly see more Airlines and Silvertones than anything else...

...but I admit that Philco runs in third place. Icon_smile

RE: Why so many Philcos? - Alan Douglas - 11-19-2012

Shipping radios 3000 miles would certainly add to the cost.

Somewhere I've seen a map of the US from a New Yorker's viewpoint; there's essentially nothing west of the Hudson. Around here, Boston is known as the "hub" , short for "hub of the universe."