[Steve D.]

Hey Jeff,

I didn't mean to imply that your Hoffman has the hardboard cabinet, only that you check before attempting to refinish. Your "Commodore" wasn't the lowest priced color set offered during that period. The RCA CTC-5 "Aldrich" Special model, with out the X&Z demodulation chassis, had a retail price of $495.00 for the Mahogany table model (legs optional). Both General Electric and Admiral offered Consolette models starting at $495.00.

The highest priced set available was the Philco Model 5102. Discribed as a modern console with genuine Stripe African Mahogany veneers fronted with luxurious picture frame moulding of solid mahogany. $895.00. I believe this set is pictured on the cover of "Color Television" magazine from 1957. The far left set. The cover can also be seen on my web page.

My RCA CTC-5 Wingate, $850.00, while not a daily watcher, sits proudly in a corner of my living room. It can be viewed on my web page. I dwell on the prices as a reflection of how costly these sets were in mid '50's dollars.

Source for these facts: "Color Television 1957 edition". Published by Radio & Television News
This is a great reference book for the Hoffman and other models.

-Steve D.