[Groundhog74]

What, in your opinion, would be the top 5 or so rarest finds as far as Philcos from the 1930's to the early 40's? I'm curious so that when I'm out scouring the universe for "new" stuff, I'll know if I stumble upon something noteworthy. As an example, I own a restored Model 18X. The knowledge base (fall 1933) says approx 27,000 of these were made but that those figures included the 14X, the 1934 16X, 18X, 49X, 118X, and 144X. So, I would assume that nearly 80 years later that given those numbers, and accounting for attrition, that particular model would be fairly "rare" and desireable at least as far as Philcos go. Just wondering.

[y2kbruce]

I can add two from my own search list:

Early 680X with the top door -It took me 6 years to find a nice one. Its now next to my bed.

509X - Still looking for a nice and complete one of these.

[Ron Ramirez]

Agree with Bruce. Along with the two he mentioned, and without taking the time to look any of these up, here are some of the rarer Philco models I can think of right off:

1930 - Concert Grand
1933 - "Century of Progress" 16CPX chairside with separate speaker. Only 75 were made, and only one (so far) is known to exist.
Any Philco console radio-phonograph made prior to the 1941 season, save possibly for the 296 lowboy which isn't too difficult to find.

Bruce mentioned the early 680X. I would submit that the late version 680X with exposed dial and controls at the upper front of the cabinet is just as rare, if not possibly more so. The early 680X with dial and controls on top, hidden under the lid, is better looking, though.

[TA Forbes]

Model 97B (7500, but incl 32B, 34B, and 144B)

Model 23X (1461)

Model 28D/47D/118D (1000)

Model 118RX: (500)

Model 500/501X (1500)

Model 509X: 500

Model 43X: 950

Funny thing about Philco: in some cases low production numbers do NOT translate to HIGH value.

[Arran]

How about any Philco Tropic in a console cabinet, as far as I know nobody has seen one, at least one of a 40-780X. In general the attrition rate is much lower on high priced sets, so you will see more 37 and 38-116s then some cheaper models that they made more of. But then again Philcos tend to hold up better over time then many other brands regardless of price or rarity.
Regards
Arran

[cparsons2391]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought my question might fit here.

How rare is a Philco 53C?

I have been checking eBay and radio attic with no sign of one for sale. I like these little "Cigar Box" Philcos. I have  2 Philco 54C with different cabinet styles and a 59S.  

[Ron Ramirez]

http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1933a.htm#f

6,250 model 53C sets were made, yet they do not seem to come up for sale too often. I've owned two, and neither one had the original wooden back. I have a photo of one now, so one of these days I'll attempt to replicate the back for the one I now own.

The cabinet of the one I now have was in very bad shape when I bought it. I refinished it and repaired it as well as I could. While not perfect, it looks much, much better now.

[Jayce]

I would bring up the odd-ball model 17 I have that is a Phactory Phranken Philco. There couldn't have been many of them made for the 1939 season!

[Arran]

I would expect that another range of rare Philco models may be the ones designed to operate from DC power mains only, not AC/DC but DC only. I've been keeping my eyes open for some of the Canadian market only models, there was a console model that had a very similar cabinet to a 40-180, but had 5 bands, it was called a 53-X, how rare they are I can't say, but they look interesting.
Regards
Arran

[jefferz940]

what about the 41-212 Canadian Farm Model?? lol sorry guys I had to.....

[PhilcoJohn]

Oh my 38-116 is in my bedroom....Listen to it the most of all of my radios. Just love how she plays and the sound that comes out of it!

[Fred Taylor]

Model 97B (7500, but incl 32B, 34B, and 144B)

Model 23X (1461)

Model 28D/47D/118D (1000)

Model 118RX: (500)

Model 500/501X  (1500)

Model 509X: 500

Model 43X: 950

Funny thing about Philco: in some cases low production numbers do NOT translate to HIGH value.

How many 23x radios have you guys seen around any ?

[Art Hoch]

How about a 38-1?

[SteveJB]

How about a 38-1?

I've seen several on CL.  Dont think they are too rare.

[Art Hoch]

How about a 38-1?

I've seen several on CL.  Dont think they are too rare.

Are you sure they were "1's" with 5 vertical grille bars???  3's look a lot like them but with only 4 bars. and a lot more 3's were manf'd than 1's.