decojoe67
09-27-2018, 11:21 PM
After a long pause, I just couldn't pass on this one. It's a truly "mini" 1937 Wilcox-Gay model A-19 6-tube set. It has 3 bands, tuning eye, variable tone control, and a large 12" speaker. The most unique aspect is the art-deco metal grill. Wilcox-Gay is mostly known for their 1950's "recordio" phonographs. Their nicely styled 1930's radios are quite uncommon.
http://videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=197717&d=1538104909
decojoe67
09-28-2018, 06:08 AM
Sweet!
Thanks. You won't believe how small and light this sets is. You can pick it up from the back with one hand!
Electronic M
09-28-2018, 11:34 AM
Interesting cabinet.
The Recordio line goes back to at least the 40's.
decojoe67
09-28-2018, 01:20 PM
Interesting cabinet.
The Recordio line goes back to at least the 40's.
That's true. The 1930's seems to be the only decade in which they made typical radios, then the Recordio's became their mainstay. I read that there are 1920's sets from the time the company way just known as "Wilcox". The Wilcox-Gay company folded in the early 1960's.
Electronic M
09-28-2018, 02:55 PM
I believe they merged with Majestic sometime post WWII to ~1950 there were Majestic TVs identical to Wilcox-gay TVs aside from the badge. I think they switched to being an importer in the late 50's early 60's as there were a lot of "Grundig-Majestic" badged radios sold back then.
bgadow
09-28-2018, 11:01 PM
Very, very attractive set...that grille design is perfect!
decojoe67
09-28-2018, 11:36 PM
Very, very attractive set...that grille design is perfect!
Thanks. Yes, as soon I saw it at a friends house I had to have it. The grill is simple, but beautifully thought-out and very appealing. I'd like to know who were the designers at the company in the '30's. They had an eye for art-deco streamline design.
mr_rye89
09-29-2018, 04:48 PM
I spy a tuning eye!
Also that pattern in the grill cloth, Is that woven in or a metal/wood overlay?
Great lookin' little set anyways :thmbsp:
decojoe67
09-29-2018, 10:53 PM
I spy a tuning eye!
Also that pattern in the grill cloth, Is that woven in or a metal/wood overlay?
Great lookin' little set anyways :thmbsp:
Thanks. Amazingly, the original grill cloth is in good shape. It's a woven pattern. I would've liked the tuning eye in the area above the dial with a nice hooded escutcheon, but the way they did it was obviously a cost saver. These mini consoles were fairly cheap in the day.