11-21-2005, 10:50 AM
Tom - sorry for not replying sooner, I had overlooked this post...
Philco's 1939 dealer catalog indicates that the 38-12, 38-14 and 38-15 were carried over into the 1939 product line - YET, they also developed a few new models based on the 38-12. Model 39-6 is basically the same thing as a 38-12, with the addition of that wonderful rubber-insulated wiring. Model 39-7 adds pushbutton tuning to the 39-6 chassis, and Model TH-3 is a 39-6 chassis whose dial scale reads "TRANSITONE" instead of "PHILCO." It was also housed in the same 38-12CB bakelite cabinet.
Just exactly what happened? Could be Philco overproduced 38-12, 38-14 and 38-15 models, and unloaded the remainder in the early part of the 1939 season. If that was the case, they may not have been renumbered 39-12, etc. Just guessing here, as I have no documentation to back that up, other than the fact the these three models were officially part of the early 1939 lineup.
It would be just like Philco to try and put a positive spin on an overproduction of these models; the 1939 dealer catalog reads in part, "Three Stars of the Compact World...retained by popular demand! We couldn't drop these popular models...even if we wanted to!" Although they DID drop them shortly thereafter; if my guess is correct, as soon as they sold out of their (overproduced) stock of these models.
I've learned that with Philco, almost anything was possible. I have a Model 37-643B tombstone. Only it isn't a 37-643. It has a decal inside the cabinet identifying it as a 38-643! The cabinet is the 1937 style, which means a few of these in 1937 cabinets were issued as 1938 models. I also have a 38-643B in the 1938 cabinet.
Not long ago, someone sent me a picture of a Model 91 chassis. The decal on the chassis read "CHASSIS TYPE 19 CODE 121" . That must have been a Monday or Friday radio!
Philco's 1939 dealer catalog indicates that the 38-12, 38-14 and 38-15 were carried over into the 1939 product line - YET, they also developed a few new models based on the 38-12. Model 39-6 is basically the same thing as a 38-12, with the addition of that wonderful rubber-insulated wiring. Model 39-7 adds pushbutton tuning to the 39-6 chassis, and Model TH-3 is a 39-6 chassis whose dial scale reads "TRANSITONE" instead of "PHILCO." It was also housed in the same 38-12CB bakelite cabinet.
Just exactly what happened? Could be Philco overproduced 38-12, 38-14 and 38-15 models, and unloaded the remainder in the early part of the 1939 season. If that was the case, they may not have been renumbered 39-12, etc. Just guessing here, as I have no documentation to back that up, other than the fact the these three models were officially part of the early 1939 lineup.
It would be just like Philco to try and put a positive spin on an overproduction of these models; the 1939 dealer catalog reads in part, "Three Stars of the Compact World...retained by popular demand! We couldn't drop these popular models...even if we wanted to!" Although they DID drop them shortly thereafter; if my guess is correct, as soon as they sold out of their (overproduced) stock of these models.
I've learned that with Philco, almost anything was possible. I have a Model 37-643B tombstone. Only it isn't a 37-643. It has a decal inside the cabinet identifying it as a 38-643! The cabinet is the 1937 style, which means a few of these in 1937 cabinets were issued as 1938 models. I also have a 38-643B in the 1938 cabinet.
Not long ago, someone sent me a picture of a Model 91 chassis. The decal on the chassis read "CHASSIS TYPE 19 CODE 121" . That must have been a Monday or Friday radio!
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
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