https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vintage-Television-TV-Console-Viewtone-with-Lightning-Bolt-Zenith-Style/274063854389?hash=item3fcf7a8b35:g:rAkAAOSwBq9drlg Z
It was a cheap primitive set, but I've only heard of one other example existing. The seller doesn't even realize what she has. The tabletop versions are rare, desirable, and valuable. I couldn't even estimate the value of this console. At least a few thousand. It'll be an easy restoration too including the lightening bolt "V" grill. It'll be interesting as to what the final bid is.

Y'know, I wish I could find the Geeny-Uss who came up w/"Disappearing" up & down toggles for Ebay ads... My size 13 triple wide steel toed Redwing would be FIRMLY ensconsed up his Keester... Jeez-Oh-Pete...

Y'know, I wish I could find the Geeny-Uss who came up w/"Disappearing" up & down toggles for Ebay ads... My size 13 triple wide steel toed Redwing would be FIRMLY ensconsed up his Keester... Jeez-Oh-Pete...
Yes. I simply leave sites for information because they're so bogged down with ads. Everything bounces and flickers until you don't even know what your looking at. The ugly side of technology hasn't completely reared it's head yet in so many ways.

Is it pre or post WWII?

Sandy eBay is constantly tinkering with the way their site works as are most commercial sites...If transactions or private data goes through the owner has to constantly have it worked on for security and if they are paying software ' engineers' money to keep it safe they'll start piling updates and restyles on them.

Yes. I simply leave sites for information because they're so bogged down with ads. Everything bounces and flickers until you don't even know what your looking at. The ugly side of technology hasn't completely reared it's head yet in so many ways.

Run an ad blocker on your browser. Firefox and chrome have good ones available...Heck even Microsoft's web browsers that start with E have adblock add-ons available. Some ads have viruses embedded in them and even the ones that don't cause trouble so I just block all ads.

Is it pre or post WWII?
.

Post

I had the tabletop version and it was about as primitive and cheap a tv as I've ever seen.

Post

I had the tabletop version and it was about as primitive and cheap a tv as I've ever seen.

Yes, post-war, but I heard the electronics are basically pre-war surplus. Notice it only allows for four channels. I'm not positive, but I thought I read once that these Viewtone's actually preceded RCA's '46 630TS. Articles in period magazines would often say to avoid these 2nd rate TV's and they were so right. Now, because of that, these odd early post-war TV's including Transvisions, are rare and highly valued.

I have the Viewtone console cabinet only without a chassis. There was also a Viewtone console listed on tvhistory website belonging to the Dunedin collection. The Dunedin Viewtone on left. My Viewtone cabinet on right. The radio cutout on mine appears to be rectangular while ebay and Dundin examples are round.
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1946-Viewtone-VP101-7in.JPG

I have the Viewtone console cabinet only without a chassis. There was also a Viewtone console listed on tvhistory website belonging to the Dunedin collection. The Dunedin Viewtone on left. My Viewtone cabinet on right. The radio cutout on mine appears to be rectangular while ebay and Dundin examples are round.
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1946-Viewtone-VP101-7in.JPG

The geometry of the radio cut out in yours and the somewhat unprofessional look of the cut out makes me wonder if someone had hacked an RCA radio chassis in:scratch2:....then again all three sets have some cabinet differences and it was a small company operating in the early post WWII parts shortage era so they easily could have had a bunch of production changes to keep the line moving through supply chain problems.

The geometry of the radio cut out in yours and the somewhat unprofessional look of the cut out makes me wonder if someone had hacked an RCA radio chassis in:scratch2:....then again all three sets have some cabinet differences and it was a small company operating in the early post WWII parts shortage era so they easily could have had a bunch of production changes to keep the line moving through supply chain problems.
I agree. These sets must've been slapped together in a garage somewhere. They just wanted to jump on the television bandwagon before the other manufacturers. Because of their primitive construction and design, they're very interesting looking, as well as rare. So that makes 3 existing sets now. The one on eBay is the gem though, especially that it's complete and with that great lightening bolt "V" grill that will be super easy to restore. With a top-notch refinish with the right toning, the set will be a knockout in any collection. I must say, that blonde one would be a contender if it had it's chassis'.

The eBay seller stated they will post more pictures including the chassis. It should have a 7EP4 CRT.

... With a top-notch refinish with the right toning, the set will be a knockout in any collection.

I think this set is rare enough, and in fine enough condition, that I wouldn't dream of refinishing it. Maybe repair the missing part of the "V" but otherwise do no harm.

Here are a few photos of the Viewtone I once had. The cabinet was refinished, but the chassis was pretty much left alone. https://s1075.photobucket.com/user/vts1134/library/Viewtone%20VP100/My%20Set?page=1

I think this set is rare enough, and in fine enough condition, that I wouldn't dream of refinishing it. Maybe repair the missing part of the "V" but otherwise do no harm.
After looking it over I'm leaning towards that too. I think with a careful and thorough refresh/minor restoration, it will look great with some nice patina. A full set of knobs will help it a lot. The cool "V" in the grill is the crowning touch and luckily the original grill cloth is good. I'd love to have the set and have everything working. That radio dial must look great lit up with that big "VIEWTONE" name on it.

A Viewtone add from Nov 1946.

A Viewtone add from Nov 1946.

No “V” in the grill on that one...

A picture on Radio Museum of the Viewtone Aristocrat shows "V"
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/viewtone_television_receiver_aristocrat.html

A review of the Viewtone models by Harry Poster from ARC 1987 article.
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Early-Radio/Archive-Antique-Radio-IDX/IDX/80s/arc-1987-08%20August-OCR-Page-0005.pdf

Another Viewtone Aristocrat add from Oct 1946

The hammer went down at $2325
A spot-on value for such a rare piece. I do hope Steve got it for the ETF museum.

That was a great review by Harry! I wasn't subscribing to ARC at the time, but remember at least one other article he penned in that time frame; it really piqued my interest in TV collecting.

A Viewtone add from Nov 1946.

That TV, while it was considered "cheaply built" was not very cheap price wise when it was brand new, $279.95 price tag it had when it was new in 1946 is the equivalent of about $3,642.18 in todays money, which if you think about it, that was about as much as a used car back then...:scratch2: :yes: