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 Is this art deco radio shell worth keeping?
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 4:30:57 PM on 19 November 2007.
normbeechey's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne , VIC
 Member since 19 November 2007
 Member #: 196
 Postcount: 6

I bought this art deco radio shell:

http://members.tripod.com/historicracingpics/

but I didn't realise at the time that it is/was infested with wood borer. I'm not sure if they are still present, the suspect they are. Can it successfully be treated or should I take it directly to the tip to avoid infecting other furniture in the house?

It's a great looking cabinet although the the veneer is not in great shape as it appears to have been heat/ moisture affected and shrunk/warped a little bit. Thanks in anticipation. Chris. (I have an email link on the web site.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 9:37:41 PM on 19 November 2007.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7290

G'day Norm,

Before worrying about sanding and/or repolishing, douse the affected area in metho and let it sit for a while. That will kill any beasts that remain. After that the small holes can be filled with a wood putty the same colour as the veneer, which can be bought from the painting section at Bunnings.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 5:14:11 PM on 20 November 2007.
normbeechey's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne , VIC
 Member since 19 November 2007
 Member #: 196
 Postcount: 6

Thanks for your response Brad. Most of the infestation has been in the non visible Frame timber work which I have fortunately been able to remove without doing too much harm (the timber was very bad). I’ll treat the remaining timber with Rentokil Borer Insecticide.

The frame has the numbers 561 – 10518 embossed in large letters on the frame. Does this indicate what brand and radio was?

Is the cabinet particularly rare?

Would it be difficult to find the correct radio to fit it? Or will I have to turn it into a bookshelf? Thanks, Chris.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 5:36:36 PM on 20 November 2007.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7290

G'day Norm,

I would say that if you waited for less than six months for the correct chassis you would be doing well. It is not in my ethos to suggest converting the cabinet into something else but at the end of the day one has to do what is practical. I don't recognise what brand the receiver is so I couldn't give an accurate clue at this stage as to what it was originally. The strange thing is that the cabinet looks like it was from the early 30's but the size and shape of the dial glass suggests a later period - perhaps 1939 or 1940.

The numbers stamped on the frame of the cabinet would just be the serial number I think. Most radio manufacturers had their cabinets made by furniture companies such as Rickett's and Thorpe so there will almost always be a seperate brand name and serial number on the cabinet and chassis.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 6:50:01 PM on 23 November 2007.
normbeechey's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne , VIC
 Member since 19 November 2007
 Member #: 196
 Postcount: 6

Thanks again Brad. The knob hole with the big circular scratch marks around it does not look original, as it is very roughly done. I wonder if the original receiver died and they replaced it with a different (later) one?

The cut out for the dial glass is also very roughly cut , as if it may have been done after manufacture.

I think I will safely store the cabinet and see if a receiver comes up on eBay. I would hate to wreck the cabinet if it is rare . Or were cabinet designs a dime a dozen in those days?

Many thanks again, Chris.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 8:45:01 PM on 23 November 2007.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7290

It certainly isn't a very common design as there is a lot of detail in it. A lot of people made their own receivers in those days because manufactured ones were very expensive although home-made usually meant a mantel receiver, not a console.

You could well be right about the dial too. The style of the cabinet suits a 100mm round dial or the slightly earlier crescent style of dial moreso than the larger 1940's style oblong.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
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