I got a tip on the antiqueradios.com site Saturday afternoon as I was at my kids' birthday party, someone replied to my ad seeking a 21AXP22 CRT and said he thought a pair of sets looked like early color. So I went up to Delaware to check it out, turns out it was 2 TV-123's.


One is the normal console.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Console/console.jpg

The other is apparently a table model, can't find any info on it.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Table%20Model/table123.jpg

Wow! :-)

Yeah, wow! Is that a set of legs for the "table model" in the picture?

In my reply on Facebook to Nick Williams' post regarding his finding a table model Philco 123 color receiver, I speculated that perhaps this was a one off set. I have since found in the Oct. 1955 issue of Popular Science magazine an article on the 1956 color receivers. Included is the $895.00 Philco 123 console color receiver. Also mention in the 123's write up is that "a similar but slightly smaller "consolette" model will sell for about $100.00 less." If this set is one of those consolette models it is truly very rare. Or perhaps even a one off prototype.

-Steve D

Interesting, so I guess I have the consolette version as well. Too bad I don't have the back to it so we could see the model number, the seller is searching for anything else related to the sets. He's a house flipper, these were found in a property that had a rather large tree crash through the roof after the owner passed away. Trying to get info on the owner as well, I'm wondering if he worked for Philco or was somehow otherwise involved with the company. It's obvious he was into electronics, the place was littered with old radios and tools.

That's right Wayne, it's got a little stand it sits on.

If it's the original Philco legged base, that bumps that table model to a consolette. Wonder if some VK member has a 1955-56 Philco TV catalog in their collection. Maybe has further info on the Philco 123 sets and some model numbers. None of the '55-'56 Philco TV catalogs on e-bay even mention color tv models.

-Steve D.

I got a tip on the antiqueradios.com site Saturday afternoon as I was at my kids' birthday party, someone replied to my ad seeking a 21AXP22 CRT and said he thought a pair of sets looked like early color. So I went up to Delaware to check it out, turns out it was 2 TV-123's.


One is the normal console.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Console/console.jpg

The other is apparently a table model, can't find any info on it.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Table%20Model/table123.jpg


The picture of the "consolette" in question looks like it has a back to it, just not attached, its right in front of the TV. It also appears to be missing a knob on the front of the TV.

I won't really get a chance to look at everything till tomorrow after work, they are both still stuffed inside the van. I assume the stand to be original. I'm going to ask my neighbor to help me unload them once I make some space in the garage, it's getting pretty cramped in there.

Did a reverse lookup of the address the sets were found at, name I got back is:

Alfred L. Logan, 89 years old (now dead)

I wonder if anyone has heard that name, or if he's somehow connected to Philco? My guess will be he's just a guy that bought the sets, but I don't think the proximity of Philco in Philly can be ignored. The Philco #2 plant was only 40 miles from his residence.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/3509+Cranston+Ave,+Wilmington,+DE+19808/E+Tioga+St+%26+C+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19134/@39.7980332,-75.6557157,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c701e4a875db4d:0x983 439328ab3a148!2m2!1d-75.633167!2d39.7321839!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c6b7dae3b02b2 3:0xceb6ef7904e85440!2m2!1d-75.122213!2d40.002377


At the very least it explains how he wound up buying Philco, I assume the marketing was pretty heavy for that brand considering it's their back yard and all.

The picture of the "consolette" in question looks like it has a back to it, just not attached, its right in front of the TV. It also appears to be missing a knob on the front of the TV.


I think that's actually from the large console, the model number on it is for the TV-123 everyone knows. I got a tip from the same guy that told me about these sets, he said the speaker used in the different models has a different part number so I should be able to confirm based on which speaker is in the cabinet.

There is an obit for Mr. Logan online. It says he was owner of Logan's TV. He passed away in 2007.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delawareonline/obituary.aspx?n=alfred-logan&pid=145575747

Sounds like Mr Logan had a good run...

So, what was it like to walk in and find two Holy Grail sets in one room?

The color console has the same unique 50's-style speaker grilles an earlier deluxe B&W Philco!

Amazing finds, Nick!

One day I hope to own a Philco TV-123.

The color console has the same unique 50's-style speaker grilles an earlier deluxe B&W Philco!

IIRC, both were produced in 1955.

Amazing finds, Nick!

One day I hope to own a Philco TV-123.

Yep! wouldn't we all!

jr

Thanks for obit link, interesting he was an army vet- now a Sailor owns his sets. I think it's pretty likely he was a Philco dealer, probably gave himself a generous discount when he got them. lol

When I first started restoring sets, the first set I got was my Hallicrafters 820 (my avatar photo) The 16tp4 crt was broken during the shipping of the set to me. I hunted for a long time to try and find a replacement.

I do not remember exactly how I came about getting in contact with Logan TV in Greenburg PA. Seems to me I was asking through the grape vine for the names of old tv shops. But somehow I came across Logan TV,

I purchased a NOS 16RP4 from Logan. I still have the crt in the original box with the warantee card that came from the CRT rebuilding company which was located in Pensylvania.

According to what I found on Facebook the Logan TV in Greensburg PA is still in business at 526 Mt Pleasant ST in Greensburg. Says they have been in business since 1943. Run by a Jim Logan. Wonder if it is possibly a relative in the Logan family? Jim Logan is not listed in Alfred Logan's Obit.

This may have been Alfred Logan's business
http://www.cmbfast.org/details/186268.htm

Logan's Tv Svc
3509 Cranston Ave
Wilmington
Delaware
19808

And, according to the obit, this is his son Daniel Logan who operates Logan Electronics
http://www.delawaretvrepair.com/

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89c709e4e13e3601:0x4a7d838cb799fe55!2m5!2m 2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e1!4s//plus.google.com/photos/photo/112323800379805197595/5995539548917174162!5slogan+tv+delaware+-+Google+Search&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjL1fep2qXKAhUP5mMKHd9gAgIQoioIbDAK

This is all I can find. I bet if you contact Daniel Logan at his business number 302-378-3640 he can give you a verbal history of the Philco 123 sets.

That would answer a lot of questions and it is always nice to know the history of the sets we collect.

Good luck Nick in your quest to get thee history of your rare Philco sets.

Thanks Bob, I'll look into it!

As promised on FB and private emails, here are some slightly better pictures of what I hauled home.

Front and back of both units.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/TV123PAIR1.JPG
http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/TV123PAIR2.JPG

Chassis tag on the smaller consolette. Serial number matches the one back I have, so the back belongs to the consolette- yay, it's complete! A friend (Jeff) up in DC says I can copy the back to his console model 123, so eventually they will both be complete.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Table%20Model/table123chassis.JPG

CRT from the consolette, it's an RCA Service Company rebuild and I can't find a reference to the number stamped on it. I know it's a 21AXP22A, because I can see the red dag coating peeking out. Wonder if 6309 is the service company code for a rebuilt 21AXP22A, or if it has a red painted bell like other rebuilds.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Table%20Model/table123crt.JPG

Single speaker from the consolette, doesn't match what's called out in Sams but this wouldn't be the first time they got something wrong...

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Table%20Model/tablespeaker.JPG

And finally, the stand for the consolette. There are no identifying marks, but since it fits so well I must conclude it's the original one that belongs with the set.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Philco%20TV-123/Table%20Model/tablestand.JPG

Color me jealous! Gosh, all the times I've driven through/around New Castle, and there they were...I would trade a truckload of sets for one TV-123, no lie.

Well, I'm soon to be an hour closer to you than I currently am. Why not stop by, we're probably going to end up living in either Leonardtown or Great Mills.

I'll remember that...I'd sure like to see that collection. I have a sister down around that way.

In the front view photo to the left of both sets, it appears there is another color roundie. True? Or is that a black and white set?

One odd thing I notice is that the console has what appears to be the convergence board hanging above the CRT, but there is nothing similar in view in the consolette.

Interesting that they used 300 ohm antenna lead for the speaker cable.

You're looking at the antenna board, it's currently not installed in the small set.

The color console has the same unique 50's-style speaker grilles an earlier deluxe B&W Philco!

Philco used dual speakers in all their high end 1955 TV receivers. Includng the 123 color & the 24" B&W Miss America models.

-Steve D.

Nick, thanks for all the great photos. Could that 6309 on the CRT be a date code?

Nick, thanks for all the great photos. Could that 6309 on the CRT be a date code?

I was thinking it might be the developmental ID code before the CRT was registered under 21AXP22....I remember the metal cone 15GP22 prototype and early glass cone 15GPs as having a 4 numeral ID code.

Philco used dual speakers in all their high end 1955 TV receivers. Includng the 123 color & the 24" B&W Miss America models.

-Steve D.

And here is another B&W (controls on top) with those super 50's gold speaker grilles set in walnut woodgrain.

It's not a developmental tube, since it has that orange dag in it that makes it a 21AXP22A same as the CTC-5's had. If it is a date code, 9th week of 1963 means the set was run for a good long time. Couldn't have been run for long after it was put in though, since it tests like new.

One other thing,

I seem to be having trouble telling which way is up with these pictures. They show up normally on my phone, sideways when copied to my desktop, but then when I flip them so they show up the right way the Internet shows them sideways again!

How are you guys seeing the pictures?

They show up correct to me. I've noticed this problem when using Photobucket sometimes. I can rotate it 20 times and it will still be wrong on my screen.

It's not a developmental tube, since it has that orange dag in it that makes it a 21AXP22A same as the CTC-5's had. If it is a date code, 9th week of 1963 means the set was run for a good long time. Couldn't have been run for long after it was put in though, since it tests like new.


I have seen one other example of a code like this on a 21AXP22. It could be a replacement part number that RCA Service Company used.

Another thought is that it may be a RCA Industrial Tube Division code for 21AXP22 type tubes. Back in the day, IIRC RCA had an industrial division that did contract work for the government, military, and industry. RCA even had a computer division. I am sure you have seen RCA vacuum tubes, that were labeled with a number different from the same tube in the consumer division. Often those tubes had a different type of base and an alternate tube number. Perhaps RCA Service Company got 21AXP22 tubes out of the parts warehouse for the industrial division after they were no longer available from the consumer products division parts warehouse. They probably used a different code number in the industrial division so that they could charge big dollars to the government for replacement parts. Sort of like the $1000 toilet seat and the $500 screwdriver, making claim that it was a special "industrial Grade" tube so it cost more.

Maybe it is better than a consumer grade tube. It tests like New, so maybe it was a better quality than the regular consumer division tube.

Perhaps a RCA factory second sold for use in a 21 inch test jig?

jr

No idea Bob, I guess anything is possible and i wouldn't put it past Sarnoff's RCA to bilk the government by passing off consumer grade stuff as MILSPEC- he wouldn't be the first, and definitely isn't the last.

Maybe there will be more identifying marks on the bell once I get it removed for cleaning, like a different label pasted on or something.