I haven't, but now every time I see one on eBay, etc, I can't help wondering its year of manufacture

Here's the updated serial number list with Redhound's set listed:

Serial Numbers:
189 - 6 Aug 1965 on transformer
16310 - approx Mar 1969 - 6V4 rectifier and caps marked 059 and 079, ARTS&P label AA 879187
17412 - 6V4 rectifier, wax caps marked xx6 and ARTS&P label AA 998629
20893 - 18 Nov 1969 on IF can - silicon diode rectifier
23428 - 27 April 1970 on power transformer, silicon diode rectifier
24787 - 4 Aug 1970 silicon diode rectifier
34968 - 24 Mar 1972
38406 - 19 July 1972
45967 - 6 Mar 1974
46591 - 25 Apr 1974
47210 - 16 June 1974

Still going in 1974...

I wonder if the venerable and mighty Kriesler 11-99 was the last production valve radio in the western world...

Interesting question. I think we'd need to check with experts on UK and USA radios, not to mention western Europe.

There may be a way of coaxing that answer out of Radiomuseum's database.

I just posed the big question on the US forums but I have forgotten my login details on the UK forums. As I don't remember my username I can't even use password retrieval there so I will have to do some thinking.

http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=296804
http://vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=124875

Most forums can accept email address for password retrieval purposes. Perhaps you can contact the Admin?

BTW: I added a little more info to that US thread.

I'd already tried all mine with no result. It may be that I didn't open an account there in the first place so I have opened one now. Waiting for the verification e-mail is painful though. That should be an instant send though it may depend on how their forum software processes that sort of thing.

Update: I just added my siggie and location there so people know it's the same Brad as here.

Okay, I am on the UK forums and made the same posting there. They keep posts from new members in lockdown, probably for anti-spam reasons so it won't be visible until a handmaiden goes through the motions. I'll post a link with the one to the US forums once it is available.

Whilst on the UK site I noticed a thread on the status of former radio factories, similar to a discussion we had here on the topic some time ago.

URL added. I think we have started ourselves a worldwide hunt for the last valve radio.

At the moment the 11-99 seems to be in front.

How about western Europe?

It's a pity that the date range search at Radiomuseum is not standalone. The search always requires a brand or model to be specified.

Arthur Courtney did make up a list of radio's up to a point some time ago. That has a single year of manufacture, not the length of the run and the valves in it.

Who is Arthur Courtney and where's his list to be found?

Arthur at one time after leaving IBM here had Resurrection Radio & then became EVATCO in Drysdale, which he sold some time ago & its now in Queensland.

List was on HRSA I think. I do have a copy. I don't think he got absolutely all of them (Oz only), but even so it's a damn good effort, & a lot of work would have been involved.

Marc

Edit: Arthur's HRSA list (Australian Radio Brand Names) shows Kriesler (then owned by Philips) production ending in "1970?"

Perhaps somebody who is in contact with him can draw his attention to the fact that we have 11-99's extending to 1974.