Norman Bel Geddes

Norman Bel Geddes

American [1893-1958]

Norman Bel Geddes began his career in 1918 as scene designer for the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His imaginative designs through the years altered the landscape of an era. This skilled entrepreneur opened his industrial design studio in 1927, and designed a wide range of commercial products over the years. His designs for cocktail shakers, furniture, commemorative medallions to the Catalin Emerson 'Patriot' Radio designed in 1940 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Emerson Radio + Television showcased his versatility.

Bel Geddes designed the celebrated General Motors Pavilion, the 'Futurama', for the 1939 New York World's Fair, his vision of tomorrow's world. Geddes metal bedroom furniture line designed for Simmons Company in 1932 was made to look like traditional wood furniture that was available at the time but was entirely fabricated of sheet metal with chrome accents.

Other notable designs by Geddes include several pieces for Revere Brass and Copper Company, including the iconic chrome Manhattan Skyscraper cocktail set. His design for the 1938 "Soda-King" Syphon Bottle for Walter Kidde Sales Company, Bloomfield, New Jersey took an orinary soda water dispenser and made it a beautiful object.

Polar White Emerson 'Patriot' 400 Catalin Radio - Bel Geddes Design

Great Polar White Catalin Emerson 'Patriot' by Industrial Designer Bel Geddes

Polar White Catalin Art Deco Emerson 'Patriot' Radio model FC-400 designed in 1940 by industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. With war looming over Europe and becoming an increasing threat to the USA, this radio's theme struck a chord with American radio buyers, who turned it into a best seller for Emerson. Bel Geddes sought to promote American technology, industry, and identity, through the use of the stars-and-stripes design of the radio. This "Patriot" design in turn helped bolster national pride during the difficult years of the Great Depression. The bright white Catalin cabinet has been cut/polished back to its original factory color by me and has a beautiful gloss. Radio cabinet is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips, burn or repairs. This model's fragile tenite/plastic grill, which is prone to deterioration, is original and in beautiful condition showing only a mild signs of age. Blue plastic 'Star' knobs and matching handle, Emerson decal and dial plastic are correct replacements. Radio has small scratches, scuffs consistent with age + use of set. This radio is an absolutely beautiful example of this model and would make a fantastic addition to a radio collection. Radio measures approximately: 10.75" wide by 7.25" high by 5.50" deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete; cord is cut. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician prior to use.

Marbleized Circassian Onyx Emerson 'Aristocrat' Catalin Radio

Marbleized Brown Geddes Designed Aristocrat Radio

Catalin Emerson 'Aristocrat' Radio model 400 in a marbleized brown cabinet or Circassian Onyx as referred to by Emerson. This radio was designed in 1940 by industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. The highly marbleized brown catalin cabinet has beautiful brown, yellow and clear marbleizing that makes this radio stand out. This radio is absolutely stunning and would make a fantastic addition to a collection. The brown catalin cabinet is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips, tube burns or repairs. This model's fragile ivory and brown tenite/plastic grill is original and in good condition with some signs of age. The brown bakelite knobs and handle are original to the radio and also free of damage. The Emerson decal and dial plastic are correct replacements. Radio has small scratches consistent with age + use of set. Radio measures approximately: 10.75" wide by 7.25" high by 5.50" 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 prior to use.

Great Black Catalin Emerson 'Aristocrat' Radio - Rarely Seen

Seldom Seen Ebony Catalin Geddes Designed Aristocrat

Seldom seen Striking Black Catalin Emerson 'Aristocrat' Radio model 400 designed in 1940 by industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. The ebony catalin has green/baby blue marbleizing that makes this unusual colored radio stand out. The trim (knobs, handle, grill and pointer) unlike other Aristocrat models is jet black and not brown. This is a seldom seen color combination for this model. Radio cabinet is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips, tube burns or repairs. This model's fragile black and ivory tenite/plastic grill, which is prone to deterioration, is original and in beautiful condition. The two black bakelite knobs + handle are original to the radio and also in perfect condition. The Emerson decal is also original and in beautiful condition. The dial plastic is a correct replacements. The cabinet has small surface scratches consistent with age and light careful use. This radio is as clean as one can be found and would truly make a great addition to any radio or Deco collection Radio measures approximately: 10.75" wide by 7.25" high by 5.50" deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete; cord is tucked inside of cabinet. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician prior to use.

Emerson "Patriot" 400 Catalin Radio in White Norman Bel Geddes Art Deco Design

Great Polar White Catalin Emerson "Patriot" by Industrial Designer Bel Geddes

Bright Polar White Catalin Art Deco Emerson "Patriot" Radio model FC-400 designed in 1940 by industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. With war looming over Europe and becoming an increasing threat to the USA, this radio's theme struck a chord with American radio buyers, who turned it into a best seller for Emerson. Bel Geddes sought to promote American technology, industry, and identity, through the use of the stars-and-stripes design of the radio. This "Patriot" design in turn helped bolster national pride during the difficult years of the Great Depression. The bright white Catalin cabinet has been cut/polished back to its original factory color by Decophobia and has a beautiful gloss. Radio cabinet is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips, or repairs. This model's fragile tenite/plastic grill, which is prone to deterioration, is original and in beautiful condition showing only a mild warp. Red Plaskon "Star" knobs and handle are original with only some small stress-lines on the handle. The Emerson decal and dial plastic are perfect replacements. Radio measures approximately: 10.75" wide by 7.25" high by 5.50" 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 prior to use.

Emerson Red Catalin "Patriot" 400 Radio Norman Bel Geddes Art Deco Design

Great Bright Red Catalin Emerson "Patriot" by Industrial Designer Bel Geddes

Bright Red Catalin Art Deco Emerson "Patriot" model FC-400 designed in 1940 by industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. With war looming over Europe and becoming an increasing threat to the USA, this radio's theme struck a chord with American radio buyers, who turned it into a best seller for Emerson. Bel Geddes sought to promote American technology, industry, and identity, through the use of the stars-and-stripes design of the radio. This "Patriot" design in turn helped bolster national pride during the difficult years of the Great Depression. The bright red Catalin cabinet retains its original factory gloss and is in perfect condition with no cracks, chips, tube burns or repairs. This model's fragile tenite/plastic grill, which is prone to deterioration, is original and in beautiful condition showing only a mild warp. White "Star" knobs and handle exact replacements. The Emerson decal and dial plastic are perfect replacements. Radio measures approximately: 10.75" wide by 7.25" high by 5.50" 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 prior to use.