VOLUME 12                NOVEMBER 1995                NUMBER 11

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

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

Two radio events that can only be described as "super" share the A.R.C. spotlight this month - the annual AWA conference and the Henry Ford Museum auction in Dearborn, Michigan. At both events, many collectors saw an unprecedented array of early equipment.

The annual 4-day AWA Historical Radio Conference was attended by nearly 1,000 collectors who enjoyed a continuous flea market, four auctions, seminars, a banquet, and other activities. "100 Years of Radio" was the conference theme, and the presence of Marconi's daughter, Gioia Marconi Braga, enriched the event.

Highlights of the extraordinary Henry Ford Museum auction are reported this month with a full report to follow next month. For the first time, at least in the U. S., a single radio sold for $49,000, while 12 others sold for over $10,000 each. The auction total was $590,693. Even more significant than the dollars spent, however, was the rarity of many of the items on the block. Even the most sophisticated collector had to be impressed.

More than 300 attended this auction, and about 85 relaxed and exchanged stories of the day at A.R.C.'s first "Radio Bash" on Saturday evening.

Although the rarities seen in these events are hard to top, another article in this issue proves that there is always something different out there to make us sit up and take notice. Francis Yonker's massive, 20-tube Philco 37-890 does just that. This unusual set appears to have seven speakers, but four are resonators.

Rewinding 1920s transformers is the topic of Stephen Imms' article. Stephen offers detailed solutions to this prevalent problem.

The issue is rounded out with Photo Review, Radio Miscellanea and a club spotlight on the 25 years of the Buckeye Antique Radio Club.

Cybernaut Alert! Check out our World Wide Web site at "http://www.antiqueradio.com/". The A.R.C. site is your link to the world of antique radio. Event calendar, radio photos and more, but no ads!

Another year of growth. For the 11th year, A.R.C. has increased its subscribers - 8,222 received our September 1995 issue. The required U.S. Postal Service statement appears below. We thank all of you for your support and especially those of you who include feedback with your ads, renewals, book orders, etc.

Renew Now & Save. Unfortunately, every year, our costs go up, and in order to keep A.R.C. viable, we must increase our rates. For all U.S. subscriptions, we have held this year's rate increase to $2 (only 17 cents per month). The new rates do not go into effect until January 1, 1996, so you still can extend your subscription at this year's rates. Send in the coupon in the center of this issue today, or call us at 508-371-0512. Also on January 1, 1996, advertising rates will be increased in order to apportion A.R.C.'s costs fairly between readers and advertisers.

Coming Radio Events. Even though the holidays are approaching, there are still 40 events for the collector during the month of November. And for your 1996 planning, we have added many 1996 radio event dates to our "Mark Your Calendar" list.

Happy Collecting.
John V. Terrey, Editor

ON THE COVER

Although old, dirty, and modified, this 1913 Marconi Type 101 tuner brought the top bid at the Henry Ford Museum auction in Dearborn, Michigan, on October 7-8, 1995. The photo proves that Auctioneer Richard Estes was also on "top" of his job.