VOLUME 22               JUNE 2005                NUMBER  6

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for May 2005
(Copyright 1996-2005 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

June 2005 marks another anniversary for A.R.C. This time it's Number 21 -- a step into our third decade and a good time to reflect on past accomplishments. Tops on the list is the feat of turning out over 250 monthly issues (this is the 251st) on time, and covering numerous subjects related to radio.

Those subjects range from Telegraph to TV, Marconi to MP3s, Hertz to Hi-fi, Tubes to Transistors -- some the usual and expected, some the unusual and unexpected, and some a little of both. In this issue, for example, Dave Crocker's lead article on Powel Crosley, a familiar radio manufacturer, would fit the "usual and expected" category, except that it has a different twist.

Dave's focus is not on products but on Crosley's salesmanship; that is, his ability to take what was often a bargain brand and market it in eye-catching ways. He encouraged dealers to move the product along through flamboyant gestures like airplane deliveries or flashy electric signs like the one on our cover. We appreciate Dave's reminder that, in his time, Crosley knew the advertising game as well as any Madison Avenue salesman of today.

For those of you whose collecting concentrates on the early days of radio, Andrew Hayden's article on KLH might be unexpected. But now, hi-fi has become very collectible. Like Crosley, KLH products were compact and a less expensive alternative to the larger hi-fi systems that became the rage in the 1960s. Both companies offered quality products at reasonable prices.

The subject of Richard Arnold's article -- a Montgomery Ward Airline 5-tube, AC set -- is not unusual. However, it too has a different angle in that some collectors see an American Indian head outlined on the grille, and some do not.

There's no argument about whether or not Frank Moore's hay radio sculpture is unusual. One of over forty "works of art" made of hay displayed along 23 miles of a Montana highway, this is truly a unique way of spreading the word about the importance and the fun of radio collecting. Next baling season, we should all head for the Montana "What the Hay Contest."

Photo Review items range from large -- a Patterson console, to small -- a Swedish crystal set with a coil serving as a base. Of note also is the unusual Atwater Kent 3925, sometimes called the Model 1.

We're happy to report that there are other commercial auction houses featuring radios, in addition to Estes Auctions. Thanks to Ron Ramirez, we have a report on the auction held by Eric's Auction Barn on Halloween 2004. Though the highlight was an Atwater Kent breadboard selling at $700, this auction also offered a wide assortment of battery sets, cathedrals, and consoles in good condition.

A report on the annual Harris radio auction will be forthcoming, as will reports on the continuing activity at Estes Auctions.

As A.R.C. articles go, the subject of Bill McKeown's "The Coloradapter" ranks among the unexpected. First, television is not a regular topic in A.R.C., and second, the Coloradapter, like the Col-R-Tel described in previous A.R.C. articles, could be mistaken for a CBS colorwheel unit. Again, it's a pleasure to find that folks with a strong interest in TV also read our magazine closely.

Volume 17 of the AWA Review is reviewed in detail, thanks to Geoff Shearer. AWA deserves kudos for keeping this excellent publication of extended articles going.

In Radio Miscellanea, Ron Lawrence's letter hits on the theme of the unexpected: an MP3 player on the April cover of an antique radio magazine. This seemed a stretch to him. And like the Zenith model years discussion, also in the April issue, Andrew Hayden makes us aware of confusion about Majestic model numbers -- Is it a Model 300 or 307?

A.R.C. Benefits. Continue to take advantage of A.R.C. benefits: a toll-free number (866) 371-0512; Discover, MasterCard, American Express, Visa accepted; the Web at www.antiqueradio.com; books shipped free in the U. S. by USPS media mail; and for current subscribers, a 10 percent discount on all book orders.

Coming Radio Events. Good weather means more action on the radio front. Among the seven swap meets listed for June are two multiday events -- RadioActivity in Maryland and Radiorama in Ohio. Two auctions and 29 meetings are also listed, so be sure to get to as many events as possible in your area.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

ON THE COVER

Our cover photo is of a colorful 1931 Crosley electric display sign from Dave Crocker's collection of Crosley treasures. Dave is an A.R.C. staff member and author of our lead article on Powel Crosley's salesmanship. The bright colors on the sign, against a black background were eye-catching enough to make dealers of the day willing to invest three dollars in Crosley's sales pitch. The photo was taken by Editor John Terrey.

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Printed without comment

We continue to receive reports from advertisers of e-mail responses to their classified ads proposing to pay them with a check, sometimes via a third party, in excess of the purchase price. The seller is asked to refund the difference by wire. In more than one case reported to A.R.C., the check received was "bad."

To minimize problems, we always suggest that you know whom you are dealing with or ask for references.