VOLUME 27               APRIL 2010                NUMBER  4

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for April 2010
(Copyright 1996-2010 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

If the welcome spring weather isn't enough to get you out on the radio trail, a report on a superlative auction might just do the trick. Auctions are a source not only of a great find, but also of great sightseeing. Ray Chase describes both at an Estes auction of what was primarily the Kenneth Zander collection. This was a truly significant auction of more than 525 lots, 33 of which sold for over $1,000 each. Proceeds totalled over $173,000.

Hard to miss was the amazing number of consoles, including the star of the show -- a stunning Zenith 1000Z Stratosphere selling at $39,000. A photo on page 8 compares the sheer size of this set to other consoles of normal size.

Perhaps the real story of this auction is the number of unusual items offered, including the two radio lamps that I had never seen before. Other examples were the advertising pieces like a moving Majestic clock and a Stewart-Warner cottage radio displaying an ad for a product called "Pure." These sold for impressive prices -- $1,300 and $1,700 respectively. They are a reminder that a collection display can be augmented greatly by unusual radios and related items.

Such items would have caught the eye of our colleague Dick Desjarlais, who often brought us stories in his articles of the odd pieces that he found along his way as a collector. In a special article by Managing Editor Dorothy Schecter, we remember Dick, a member of the A.R.C. staff for many years, who passed away on February 16, 2010.

Dick's passion for our hobby is often reflected in articles from those of you who have concentrated on a particular manufacturer. Ralph Jackson offers his second article on Halson radios, a relatively uncommon focus of a collection, as indicated by Slusser's 7th edition price guide which shows only seven Halsons in a listing of over 10,000 entries. But, Ralph has come up with a model with a mystery attached, and he hopes readers have some suggestions or theories to add to his own.

Jerry Wieland too is looking for more clues about his Coast Guard receiver, which is also a bit of a mystery. As Jerry points out, even the ubiquitous Internet doesn't always come up with the answers. These days we tend to go to the Internet first and sometimes hesitate to ask fellow collectors for information. Ironically, Jerry went full circle in his quest -- from a club member to the Internet and back to another club member.

The moral of the story -- keep on asking questions of all sources, not just in your search for information, but also for radios in stores or yard sales. Because Jerry revealed his interest in radios in a seemingly unlikely store, the owner pulled the Coast Guard radio out from under the counter. So don't hesitate to ask wherever you go, and don't let fear of the price being jacked up deter you.

"Photo Review" always opens up more questions, as in the case of a 1930s Reporter radio with no markings, except a serial number. And there is also a number of photos submitted by Clark Trissell and included for their variety. Clark has been a contributor of excellent photos to "Photo Review" for so many years we've lost count. Needless to say, we're grateful for his steady support.

Sometimes a "Photo Review" submission is interesting or unusual enough to warrant a special notice. A case in point is Ray Chase's Crosley WWII "Morale Radio," which has spare socketed tubes for each active tube in the set.

In all, that's what A.R.C. is all about -- presenting the unusual, asking the questions, helping you to find answers in order to further enhance your collections and preserve radio history. Here's to a fruitful spring and summer to do just that.

A.R.C. Benefits. Be sure to take advantage of A.R.C. benefits: A Spring Special for subscription discounts; a toll-free number (866) 371-0512; Discover, MasterCard, American Express, Visa accepted; a secure shopping cart on the website, www.antiqueradio.com; for current subscribers, a 10 percent discount on all book orders; and the full magazine available on the website. Note: Please do not send credit card info by e-mail. Use our secure website or U.S. Mail, or call or fax.

Coming Radio Events. There's much to keep you busy this month -- 12 meets, 26 meetings, and 5 auctions. Be sure to join the crowd at more than one of these events.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

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ON THE COVER

Our cover photo by Ray Chase shows one of many splendid consoles offered at the Estes auction of the Kenneth Zander collection. This McMurdo Silver "Carlton" sold for an impressive $4,100.

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ANTIQUE RADIO CLASSIFIED

Antique Radio Classified (ISSN:8750-7471) is published monthly, 12 times per year, by John V. Terrey, 498-A Cross Street, P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. Periodicals postage paid at Carlisle, MA, and additional mailing offices. Telephone: (866) 371-0512, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET weekdays; machine answers phone at other times.

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