Philco Model 51-532 Old Antique Transitone Bakelite Tube Radio A Gem From 1951 For Sale

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MODEL, YEAR, FEATURES: The 1951 Philco Transitone Model 51-532 is noted for its arched amphitheater-like grill and lower deck sliderule dial. The dial is centrally lit with its pilot light and I’ve attempted to capture it in one shot below in a dimly lit room. Brass trimmed knobs, gold lettering and attractive gold woven grill cloth add perfect accents to this dark gloss brown Bakelite gem. As any serviceman can tell you, changing a pilot bulb can end up being quite a job. Engineers at Philco had an elegant solution to this problem, and installed an access port with removable cover on the underside of the radio. Geometry on this set looks great from any angle, and you can enjoy it for years to come with clear sound now that the electronics have been serviced for reliability.

CONDITION, REFURBISHING, PERFORMANCE: Not a nick, crack, scratch, or mar on the gloss brown Bakelite cabinet. Grill cloth in exc shape without rips or snags along with the lattice grill insert. Graphics and numerals on the lighted sliderule dial are factory silkscreened to perfection. Electronics were carefully gone through with old wax / foil capacitors replaced along with the electrolytic filters, a worn tube and grommets. Tuning mechanism was lubed, radio was aligned and cleaned, and radio now plays across the AM band with sensitive reception without hum or distortion with fine sound from the original speaker. Loop antenna in fine condition, and an external antenna wire can be connected to a terminal on the back of the set to boost reception of distant stations. Original Philco backboard is looking fine, has been reinforced on its corners, and stays firmly in place. Power cord was replaced with a safe pliable one with proper plug for the era, radio has its original knobs and fasteners, and the factory tube layout diagram is intact on the bottom panel. Photos will represent it well, hard to go wrong on this fascinating Made in USA product built to last.

DIMENSIONS, SHIPPING: Cabinet measures 11.7 inches wide, stands 7.2 inches tall, 7.8 inches deep from front of knobs to back side; old 6.5 Oz Coke bottle in photo will give better sense of scale and show reflective surfaces. I’ve shipped hundreds of delicate tube radios all over the world for the past 14 years on with fine packing materials and methods, so no worries. Paypal welcome along with other payments, radio will be sent off on the day or day after payment is received. Ground shipping will be the most cost effective.

This item has been shown 368 times. Philco Model 51-532 Old Antique Transitone Bakelite Tube Radio A Gem From 1951: $275