Silvertone Radio

Silvertone 4505 "Election" Art Deco Radio in Bright Red Plaskon Bakelite

Silvertone "Election" Bakelite/Plaskon Radio designed by John R. Morgan

This Bright Red Silvertone 4505 "Election" radio is a beautiful example of 1930's Streamlined Machine Age design in plastic. The design includes great rounded edges and molded plastic ridges that travel up and around the radio. The single piece cabinet that can be viewed from all sides is the work of noted industrial designer John R. Morgan. This truly is a rare and striking design for an Art Deco Radio. This model first appeared in the 1936 Sears catalog and won first prize as an object of "outstanding beauty" in the nationwide Modern Plastics Competition in New York City

Note that the cases of this model are extremely fragile, and as a result few appear to have survived. These cases often cracked or became distorted due to the heat of the tubes and the weight of the chassis which, slides in from the bottom. The beautiful red colored Plaskon/Bakelite cabinet is in great original condition and retains a beautiful luster. The cabinet has no chips, burns, or repairs. It does have a few tight hairlines common to Plaskon radios of the time that can be seen in the photos. These in no way detract from this rare radio- more detailed images can be sent upon request.

Radio retains the original matching red plastic knobs with only slight discoloration on the tuning knob, manufacturers paper label and gold textured fabric grill cloth on front and mesh on rear.

This radio measures approximately: 9.25" Wide by 7" High by 6" deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician.

Machine Age Brown Bakelite Silvertone "Rocket" 6109 Radio

Striking example of 1930's Machine Age design designed by Clarence Karstadt

Rare 1938 Silvertone Model 6109 in Marbled Brown Bakelite.  This incredible radio is referred to by collectors and design addicts alike as the "Rocket", and is a particularly striking example of 1930's Machine Age design.Designed at the height of the Art Deco era by Clarence Karstadt, it is clear that it was inspired by the streamlined locomotives of the time.  The radio's styling is unsurpassed, and it has been cited in a numerous books and articles as a highlight of the Machine-Age design movement. Even though it was prominently featured in all of the Sears catalogs of the time, it was not a strong seller and is extremely rare and difficult to find.

The condition of the radio is as close to perfect as you will be able to find, as this set is very prone to damage and few have survived in this great of a condition. The chassis is heavy and the case is closed on all sides. This design often caused heat build-up and eventual cracking for many of these radios thus limiting their survival.  The flawless brown Bakelite cabinet is beautifully marbleized with some specks of orange as can be seen in the photos. Radio + trim has no chips, warping or repairs and still retains its original grill cloth and all manufacturers stickers and tags.  The matching back or side panel, by which the chassis is removed, is held on only by a single spring and often is missing or broken -- this one is perfect, with no cracks, warping, chips, or repairs. The original large Bakelite tuning dial that takes up the entire end of the radio is perfect with no cracks, chips, burns or repairs and still has the original Bakelite retaining screw also un-cracked. The 6 Bakelite push buttons on top are all original and in great condition as well, just missing a few of the call letter papers.

This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician.