[Arran]

I don't see what is so remarkable about a table set with a power transformer, it was very common even for five tube U.S models to be built that way. Prior to 1939-40 AC/DC sets were not allowed on the Canadian market, and even after that they had to use a floating chassis design. Before 1939 there were budget model sets that had as few as four tubes and a power transformer. But even after 1939 some manufacturers still made small one band AC sets, even though they also had AC/DC radios in their lineup as well, Canadian RCA and G.E for example, no idea why.
In Britain they were making AC/DC sets back in the mid 1930s, but they usually used a tapped ballast to reduce the line voltage to 117 volts.
Regards
Arran