This is a five-day auction, so make sure to keep an eye on it, because it won't be around for long. When you've finished reading the description, take a quick look at the other five-day auctions I'm running this week. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I've been collecting early radios for many years -- and attending antique radio auctions and radio meets for almost as long -- but only once or twice in all that time have I seen a Radiola 24 whose condition rivaled that of this one. For those of you not familiar with this set, the Radiola 24 was introduced by RCA in 1925 and was the company's solution to the "portable" super-heterodyne problem. Designed to be indistinguishable from a leather briefcase, it was covered in genuine cowhide and, when closed, gave little or no hint as to what was inside.
As you can see in the photographs, this example is about as good as it gets, certainly for a Radiola 24 that's 100% original and unrestored. The wood panel is clean and free of bubbling and/or splintered veneer; the gold-plated condenser dials have virtually no tarnish on them and the plating itself is still close to perfect. The verniers work; the filament switches work; the loop antenna is in unbelievably good condition (almost like new); the leather loop hold-down is still intact and still holds the loop securely against the lid.
Inside, the radio chassis is clean and all of the electrical connections appear to be sound. All but one of the batteries have the original voltage tag still in place, and the original speaker driver is still snugly fit to the neck of the folded horn. The original Stromberg Carlson condenser is still in place in the corner, and the plates on both condensers are rust free and turn smoothly. The rheostats work properly, and they are clean, not caked with rust, like those you frequently see on this radio. All six 99 tubes in the sockets all have good filaments.
Indeed, every aspect of this radio appears to have eluded the ravages of time and poor treatment to which most to which most other Radiola 24's have sadly succumbed.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this Radiola 24 is its case. Though far from mint, the leather covering on this set is still in very good condition, with only a few wear spots (on the bottom) and virtually no peeling. It is LEAGUES better than that of most Radiola 24's, whose leather is typically shot and falling off in sheets. The original handle is still on the radio (another marvel), and though the tops of two of the screws that secure one side of the handle to the case are sheared off, the handle displays nicely and can probably be fully repaired with only minimal effort (ie, two new screws and nuts)
That's about it. Buyer prepays and includes shipping. Paypal okay.
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