[kiwi_steve]

Steve

Great find! Is that a model 97, or model 98E? The 98E is similar to the 97, I think, but was made only for export.

Grille cloth - this pattern was being reproduced at one time. Radio Daze has brought it back. Although it doesn't look quite the same as the cloth John Okolowicz was selling when he was in the business, it is a reasonable substitute.

http://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth-05-item-grc05/

Unfortunately it is listed as being "on backorder." Hopefully they will be restocking this pattern.

If they get more in stock, the green threads should run top to bottom, not side to side as shown in their photo.

Its a 97E, and in pretty good order.  The cabinet needs refinishing, but not badly.  I can't find any trace of the green trace in the cloth... it will be interesting to see if its there under the fretwork and is just faded...  I think I may just get it working for now and give the cabinet a bit of a spit'n'polish

One thing I will say is that it's about the heaviest radio I have in my collection.  Its scary heavy!

   

It was an unusual find... I've never seen one before and had to do a double-take on it.  Push-pull 42's - I hope they are ok, my 42 supply is getting low...  I'll pop it in the Philco pile beside my 89B, my 38A, my 37-640, my 37-630, my Hippo, my roll-top portable and my alarm-clock radio... I think thats it for Philco's at the moment!... I may strip the mustard tomorrow.  Am I right in thinking that because the 38A's got the old pressed metal escutcheon it had no decal?