VOLUME 12                OCTOBER 1995                NUMBER 10

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for October 1995
(Copyright 1995 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

Fall is a busy season for radio collectors - opportunities for buying, selling, and camaraderie abound. These activities remind us - as if we needed reminding- of the fun of the chase. It's A.R.C.'s good fortune when that chase leads to an article recording what the hunter has learned along the way.

Such is the case with Peter Burton's cover story on "The Other Ozarkas," which represents eight years of research. The striking Ozarka emblem on our cover may be familiar to many of you, but what you may not know is that your Viking, Belmont, Kroehler, etc. may be, in fact, an Ozarka.

In the 1930s, Ozarka Inc.'s financial difficulties led to Ozarka chassis ending up in cabinets made by other companies. This must have been quite a turnabout from Ozarka's heyday in the 1920s when over 4,000 part-time salesmen sold Ozarkas door-to-door after signing on to "The Ozarka Plan." This plan gave them 12 free service lessons, but only after they had purchased a demonstration instrument. Peter's ongoing research will no doubt start many of you on an investigation of your own sets. Another research project, this one by Robert Enemark resulted in this month's article on a Silvertone shortwave receiver, Model 5656A. Robert suspects that this interesting 3-band set was made for Sears by Howard Radio.

Alan Douglas' series on vintage tube testers continues this month with coverage of military models. Alan reports that military tube testers are a good choice regardless of the manufacturer, since most were designed by Hickok, holder of the basic tube tester patent. Alan was spotted at the recent AWA meet carrying an early capacitance bridge under his arm - a clear sign that more early test equipment articles are sure to come from Alan.

Four meets and auctions from New Jersey to Ohio, Michigan and Illinois are covered this month. Our meet and auction coverage is designed both for those interested in seeing photos of the unique items that often show up at meets and for those who dive right into the auction prices. Unusual items at these events were a Hallicrafters S-1, a Cutting and Washington Type 12, an Adams Morgan RA-10, and an Atwater Kent "fan dial" set.

Radiofest 1995, held by the Antique Radio Club of Illinois is one of the largest meets in the U.S. Although hampered by rain, Radiofest once again lived up to its fine reputation. During a break in the rain, your editor counted almost 200 flea market vendors. Auction sales totaled nearly $23,000, and the event was rounded out by an equipment contest, a banquet, and tours of the Muchow Museum.

The New Jersey Antique Radio Club swap meet and auction, held in July, had heat to contend with, but it also resulted in success. Auction totals were nearly $10,000.

Auctions by Estes Auctions and Albrecht Auction Service featured items from crystal sets to the Art Deco period. A number of telegraph and ham items were auctioned also.

Thanks to Karl Ayer, Danny Gustafson, Richard Estes, Marvin Beeferman, Ray Chase, Ludwell Sibley, and Ray Engel for contributing to these reports.

Photo Review includes an assortment of items - advertising, test equipment, a Hallicrafters S-38 look-alike, and an attractive Sparton table model set. Our Radio Miscellanea page features reader feedback on past articles on the L.E. Knott Apparatus Co., the Freshman Master Speaker, and the Radio Hospital.

Ford Museum Radio Auction. Within a few days, many of us, including your editor, will be in Dearborn, Michigan, attending the Henry Ford Museum Radio Auction. (Look for a report on this pivotal auction in a coming issue.) At the AWA meet in Rochester, I spoke to auctioneer Richard Estes who encourages collectors to come both days, because the key items will be spread over October 7 and 8. Although there are nearly 3,000 items, many are individual tubes and parts, which will be combined into lots. Also, there will be lots of surprises since many of the items to be offered will be removed from storage for the first time in years. For your convenience, Estes Auctions will be accepting Visa and MasterCard for purchases.

A.R.C. Radio Bash. On Saturday evening following the Saturday auction session, A.R.C. is hosting its first "Radio Bash"! All collectors are invited. There will be nibbles, a cash bar, and a door prize. Stop by from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Edison Room at the Dearborn Inn to say "hi," mingle with your collector friends, and kibitz about your auction triumphs and disappointments. There will be a couple of display tables, so you are invited to bring along something to show.

Coming Radio Events. With over 50 events to choose from, October is full of activities for the radio collector. Of course, the highlight for many will be the auction at the Henry Ford Museum on October 7 and 8. A.R.C. also will be attending the Vintage Radio and Phonograph Society/AWA '95 convention in Texas in late October. See the Coming Radio Events pages for details on these and many other October activities.

Happy Collecting.
John V. Terrey, Editor

ON THE COVER

The Ozarka emblem on our cover is a handsome design found on 1920s models. It is also on the cover of a booklet in our archives outlining the wonders of being an Ozarka salesman. J. Matheson Bell, Ozarka's president, may not have had the key to success, but he certainly had an eye for design.