Catalin radios and clocks are truly art pieces and a wonderful way to invest and own a part of American history. Email or call and I can answer any questions you may have. You will get prompt, accurate and honest answers to all your questions. Thanks for looking. .
CONTACT INFORMATION: EMAIL paul@pontrello.com : or call 425/345-6083
This is a cord Zephyr made in the mid 1930's which is indicated by the radio circuit used, which is an earlier circuit than
most catalin radios. It was probably one of the first attempts to add the beauty of catalin plastics to a radio.
I have seen one other with a catalin front which is in Hugh Hunts museum/collection at this link. http://goldenhue.net/
(It is in his Woodies section) I have seen this design with an etched colored mirror front.
This has a wood case that has been black lacquered to look like black catalin. The sky blue catalin front had a hairline
under the decal and it was repaired though there is no clear coat or paint on the surface. The decal is a reproduction.
The chassis does play and has two lights on the chassis which backlights the catalin nicely.
It measures 8.5 inches High by 15 inches wide by 6.6 inches deep. To sum it up This is a Very Rare set. I am asking $7500.
The Stromberg Carlson and I am offering is the only one known to exist and I believe it is a prototype made for Stromberg Carlson in 1937. This is a conclusion I reached because the chassis that is in it was sold that year. This is also the time period that catalin radio cabinets were first made. I am guessing this was made by the catalin corporation to entice the Stromberg Carlson company to have the cabinets mass produced. It belonged to the maintenance supervisor at the Stromberg Carlson plant named Clarence Brooks who lived in Rochester NY. It comes with a letter from his niece explaining the history of the radio. It is as I have found it with the only thing done is a hand polish. The cabinet has a small flea bite chip on the left lower dial window. The cabinet is definitely a bit rough showing the knob holes cut uneven. The thickness of the cabinet walls are 1/4" varying to 3/8" in spots. The wall thickness is another reason I believe it is a prototype. The radio is 14" wide by 7" deep by 8 1/2" high. I consider this a very unique radio with a wonderful value to the catalin radio community.
I have photographed the letter I received from the previous owner, along with a refund check I never cashed for an overpayment on shipping. This is a great radio worthy of a museum quality collection.
