Hi!!

This morning I have done something not so unusual for me and bought something because I liked the look of it, and know nothing about it. I have not yet found any information on the web. Its label reads Winkworths Annandale. It is about 4.5 feet tall, lid lifts up to show original brass fixtures and turntable. Two doors open at the front to reveal a radio display with USA, Berlin, London, Paris, Japan settings. It has five dials under the radio display. It also has the side compartment for records storage. It looks a treat, and I was probably ripped off, but I like it.
Any further information anyone has would be fabulous.

Thanks!!!

G'day Honeybee,

Going by a gut feeling I'd say you'd picked up a nice early radiogram and if that is the case I wouldn't worry about the cost.

According to a brief search on Yahoo, Winkworths look like they were an agent of a larger company called Beale, whose core business was making pianos but for a while they also made radio cabinets. Anything made by Beale was mickey mouse - just about the best of its kind.

If you are able to take a photo of it I am sure other members would love a look at your set and this would indeed help with further identification - and satisfying my curiosity.

Pictures can be e-mailed to Bradmail.vintage-radio.com.au.

That is a stunning example of an early Australian radiogram, probably dating from around 1930-1932.
Beale certainly made some nice cabinets. One advantage I think, was being the largest on-site veneer manufacturer in the southern hemisphere (due to the company beginning to make their own pianos instead of importing from Germany), and their experience in high quality cabinet making. They often used beautiful Australian timbers for their veneers.
Being of such good quality, I've often wondered why Beale didn't plaster their name across the dial or under the lids.
Quite often the only identification on their machines was a small "Beale" transfer on the back of the radio chassis.

If/when you get it going, be sure to have gramophone pick-up (reproducer) properly restored with fresh rubber components. The biggest disadvantage of these early electric gramophones was excessive record wear, sometimes due to poor design, but mostly due to excess weight in the pick-up from the large horseshoe magnets in them. Fresh soft rubber replacement parts will allow the needle to move within the record groove properly & cut down on damage to your discs.

Beale made a few complete console radios for a short time but they realised that their specialty was in pianos and cabinet-making. I am not sure who made their chassis' though.

The ship under the needle could be a clue to the chassis, or a red herring, as I have seen this before.

The Valve line up & what they are plus a photo of the chassis, may give a clue to its maker.

If it was them look for 751, 950W, 960W, 650WU, (953WB is a battery console and unlikely, with a turntable)

Trivia: Factory was at 41 -47 Trafalgar St Annandale

Showroom 177 Pitt St

Marc

I did some research on this back at Christmas time and did a tour of Sydney and the inner suburbs - it was a long walk!

I have pictures of the showrooms of many of the manufacturers as they stand today. George Street, Pitt Street and York Street were populated with dozens of showrooms in the heyday of radio.

One other thing I found itneresting was the number of factories that existed at the time and just for making radios. In a circle comprising Sydney, South Sydney, Alexandria, Chippendale, Glebe and Annandale there were more than a dozen factories. This is even before we include AWA at Ashfield and EMI at Homebush.

Before too long I will get a chance to compile the material I gathered on that day.

Brad

If you get a copy of "Radio Trade Annual of Australia"

Which pre-dated the AORSM's, there is a comprehensive listing of Manufacturers and purveyors of radio's & associated bits & pieces.

Marc