[radiotvnut]

Here's another one I recently picked up, an RCA Radiola 80 console from around 1930. This is an AC operated, dual chassis superhet that looks complete internally; but, has a fair amount of veneer damage. When I first saw it at the flea market; they wanted $185 for it and that wasn't going to happen. After it sat awhile, I was able to get them down to $85. That was a little more than I wanted to pay; but, the owner said that she was going to paint the cabinet, to attract the young crowd, if it didn't sell. The first thought that came to mind was, "This thing is in sad enough shape as it is without you glopping white, green, or yellow paint on it; so, here's $85 and let me take this home before you totally ruin it".

At the same flea market where I got this radio, another vendor had a decent looking Crosley AA5 radio/78 rpm phono combination. He had $45 on it; but, offered it to me for $25. I turned it down because I have a similar model. Several weeks passed and I went back to find that he had done a rather poor white "antiquing" job on the cabinet! I looked at the thing for several weeks and finally decided to buy it before he decided to do anything else drastic to it. Then, I gave the seller a royal chewing out about painting radios.

Speaking of painting, another flea market vendor painted green a once nice looking Telefunken console hi-fi from the late '50's. I told her that whatever value it had was lost when she painted the whole thing green and that I probably would have bought it had she left the finish alone.

Here's a video of the radios, along with some pictures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA1ip9fazjk

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...ola002.jpg]

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...ola001.jpg]

[Image: http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341...ola003.jpg]

[Radioroslyn]

If you want another RCA I've got one in my basement.
Terry

[radiotvnut]

I appreciate the offer; but, I got a feeling you are a long way from MS.

[Radioroslyn]

Near Phila PA
Terry

[Arran]

It sounds like someone inspired by that dumb woman on Storage Wars Texas. There is no quicker way to destroy the value of an antique or even a vintage piece of furniture then slobbing a "Shabby Chic" paint finish all over it, in effect they are spending money to loose money. The ones that are paying four figures for Bakelite radios with goofy paint jobs are going to find that out soon as well if they have to sell, not everyone like a colour scheme inspired by a lanced boil or smoker's phlegm.
Regards
Arran

[Dave M]

I have the same console unit with less knobs. What's the difference?

[morzh]

>>>colour scheme inspired by a lanced boil or smoker's phlegm.

Very vivid comparison...does it justice.

[Jayce]

I saw a dual chassis Victor radio not too long ago on CL. Forget where it as though. I have to remind myself, I am trying to make room!

[morzh]

Jayce

A good and time-proven way to make room is first to stuff the space up 'till you have no place for an apple to fall, and then gradually start removing the objects. You will be amazed at how much space you actually have.

[Jayce]

I already did that in a way. You couldn't fit an Apple IIe computer anywhere!

[morzh]

How about Apple IIc?

[Jayce]

That might have fit. I have one and had the table too full of 78's to put it on for a while.