A.R.C. -- THE NATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS
OF OLD RADIOS AND RELATED ITEMS -- PUBLISHED MONTHLY

BOOK REVIEW:

The Radio Collector's Directory and Price Guide, 1921-1965, Second Edition - By Robert E. Grinder

BY ED TAYLOR

From Antique Radio Classified
(Copyright 1996 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

The second edition of The Radio Collector's Directory and Price Guide by Robert E. Grinder has been greatly expanded to 500 pages, 200 more than in the first edition.

Part I -- "Radio in America, 1921-1965" -- consists of six chapters of easy-to-read history of the radio industry. It covers the many technological advances of tube-type radio receivers from 1921 to 1965. The chapter on design innovations gives the reader tips on how to determine when a particular receiver was manufactured. Trends in the style of plastic radio cabinets, including Catalin, are discussed from Art Deco to kitsch. At the end of each chapter are especially useful references to other published works.

Part II -- "The Radio Directory and Price Guide" -- is the heart of the book. 20,000 vintage broadcast sets are listed by manufacturer/model, year, power, style and price. Grinder presents his comprehensive pricing guide as a system of from one to six stars as follows:

          $0-$50	  *	      $301-$600    	  ****

          $51-$150	 **	      $601-$1,200  	 *****

          $151-$300	***	      $1,200-$2,400	******

This section also has comments on receiver integrity, including cosmetic and operating condition. The range from mint to junker is of great consideration in any evaluation. For anyone contemplating selling or buying an old radio, this section is a must-read.

Caveat on using this or any other price guide: Any radio is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Part III -- "The Trade Directory" -- is comprised of two very helpful cross-references. Section 1 lists trade names alphabetically opposite their manufacturers. Section 2 reverses the procedure and lists the manufacturers alphabetically opposite their trade names. This information is of great assistance in set identification and in locating radio schematic diagrams in Gernsback, Supreme, Rider or Sams publications.

The Radio Collector's Directory and Price Guide, Second Edition is published in paperback by Sonoran Publishing, Inc., in an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 format. It is available at $26.95 from A.R.C. and other A.R.C. advertisers. Please check these souces for ordering and shipping information.

(Ed Taylor, 245 N. Oakland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46201)