No comments about Radiola: The Golden Age of RCA, 1919-1929.

3 comments about Philco Radio 1928-1942: A Pictoral History Of The World's Most Popular Radios.

1. As the follow-up edition to Ron's earlier book on PHILCO, this continues to be the definitive reference for antique radio collectors and mass media historians. PHILCO (short for "Philadelphia Storage Battery Company") was the name synonymous with affordable radios for nearly three decades...along with the well-known "cathedral" style radio of the 1930s and 1940s.
   
   During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the family radio was the last household item to be sold for rent and food money.
   
   I recommend picking up your copy before this edition goes out of print.



2. This is one of my favorite reference books. The pictures are great and especially helpful when you are trying to restore an old disgarded Philco to it's former beauty. Packed with interesting history and trivia. Values listed in the book tend to be on the conservative side, but then again most reference books tend to do this. If you love old radios and their history, this is a "Must Have" for your book shelf. (PS. His website is pretty neat too)



3. Ron Ramirez (Mr. Philco to radio collectors) has compiled one of the finest books of its type. Focusing solely on Philco radios, he traces the evolution of the Philadelphia Storage Battery Co. from its roots to PHILCO, one of America's leading manufacturers of home radios. The book is organized chronologically by model year and includes a photograph and text explanation for virtually every Philco radio ever manufactured. Each chapter begins with a detailed description of the key features of the new models, how Philco responded to the fierce competion of the day, and the company's marketing strategies for the new year. The photography is outstanding with the vast majority of the pictures representing the best available examples of original or restored radios. The author wraps up the book with a listing by year of all Philco models, their tube configurations, and a "rarity" scale. While an excellent technical reference and history book, it also presents an interesting insight into how the Art Deco school of design influenced even radio cabinetry of the period. Highly recommended!

2 comments about Guide to Old Radios: Pointers, Pictures, and Prices (Guide to Old Radios).

1. This is great overview of antique radios. There are many clear B&W photos and a few color ones, but this is not a coffee table book. It has a nice historical narrative accompanied by a generous amount of vintage magazine page ads and radio pictures. I love the way it transports me back in time to feel radio's impact on the people of that era. When I received this book I couldn't put it down. It has a personal relevance for me beccause I own some the 1920's radios pictured.
   
   I took away one star from the rating because Edwin Armstrong was not given enough mention. Also, I was hoping for a more technical explanation of the archaic buzzwords that followed the evolution of the early radios.
   
   Like most guide books, the prices are only useful for determining relative desirabiltiy. The book was written before EBAY raised both the visibility and prices of these radios.



2. If your tastes run the gambit from crystal sets to early tube sets and novelty items, check out this Guide. Plenty of history and tips, lots of photos, and some listings with prices and manufacturing dates. Plenty of cool old ads too. An intriguing trip through the early days.

No comments about Never Seen, Only Heard: The Impact of Radio 1930-1945.

2 comments about Radios: The Golden Age.

1. "This book of postcards pictures extraordinary radios of the thirties, forties, and fifties. Philip Collins's superb collection of the colorful gizmos includes many that are drop-dead beautiful and not a few that are deeply peculiar.
   
   "In only eleven years, between 1930 and 1941, an estimated 71 million home radio receivers were sold in the United States. The designs featured here are a cross section of three decades of radio cabinet aesthetics. Their elegance and occasional whimsy are uniquely American. Vintage-radio collecting has mushroomed in the United States. There are specialists now who enjoy comfortable careers as restorers and manufacturers of replication parts, such as knobs, dial glasses, trims, handles, and cosmetic adornments that time has not treated well.
   
   "Pomegranate's books of postcards contain thirty top-quality reproductions bound together in a handy collection. Easy to remove and produced on heavy card stock, they also make great little books. This convenient compilation offers a wide selection of gorgeous cards to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect postcard to send to any friend, family member, or casual acquaintance. ISBN: 0-7649-2039-1; size: 4 3/4 x 6 7/8". See also: Radios Poster."--© Pomegranate



2. If you have one of the antique radios shown in this book, you will want to display it open next to your radio. The photos are absolutely stunning. The book also provides some help in identifying rarely seen radios and how they should look if you have one that's not in good condition.

   The author includes some resources and contacts, but the beauty of the subject is reason enough to have this now out-of-print classic. A MUST for antique radio collectors.

2 comments about Transistor Radios: A Collector's Encyclopedia and Price Guide.

1. The rather long title says it all. It's a nice collection of transistor radios, their descriptions, price estimates, and hundreds of (mostly black and white) photos. Lots of good history here, along with tips for collectors. Not as fancy as some of the others, but a classic, and another must-have.



2. Excellent book with good coverage of every set I could find. Easy to follow and I particularly enjoyed the history section about the beginning of the transistor age. Very nice book!!

1 comments about Zenith Radio: The Early Years : 1919-1935 (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book is of real interest to someone interested in tube radios and their beginnings. Has great pictures and copies of sales brochures Just wish the authors would have gone clear through the 1930s.

3 comments about American Jukebox.

1. This color glossy photographic celebration of "the Classic Years" of American Jukes is drop dead gorgeous. It is a "must-have" for the jukebox collector.
   
   For essential descriptions, histories, and values of various makes and models, this jb afficianada recommends Michael Baulte et. al's *the Always Jukin Official Guide to Collectible Jukeboxes* with its periodic updates.
   
   Buy `em both for an excellent composite resource of these Grand Old Music Machines. /TundraVision



2. This is one of the best visual compilations of American Jukeboxes for the collector and devotee. Recalls pre-radio and TV days when people met in person not electronically.

   Every coffee table hould have one. Every house should have an original box for the family to dance around.




3. This is an excellent reference photo book for anyone interested in classic jukeboxes. The photos are outstanding and there is a reference section at the back that gives a brief description of the jukeboxes and related equipment.

1 comments about Crystal Radio: History, Fundamentals, and Design.

1. The Xtal Set Society sells several books on crystal radio including back volumes of the society newsletter. Crystal Radio: History Fundamentals and Design was one of the first and it is still one of the best. Contrary to the above information, all of their books are still in print, and you can find the XSS easily by typing in the keywords "crystal radio" on most of the major search sites.

3 comments about Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide.

1. For students of comedy, Smith's Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide is priceless. Those of us collectors who are lucky enough to have picked up a mint Brother Theodore or Bob & Ray On A Platter for next to nothing will delight to see the lofty prices afforded to these and many others. Smith definitely lets his personal tastes be known and his write-offs of such classics as Robert Klein's Mind Over Matter, Richard Pryor's That Nigger's Crazy and Peter Sellers' recorded output may leave some fans confused/angry. But that's the norm in album guides of all sorts. All in all, comedy historian and expert Ronald L. Smith has given collectors an entertaining, informative and exhaustive study of humor on record.



2. Amazing book. The guy not only has every comedy record, but has listened to them all. What I liked best was that he was fair with all types of comedians -- he digs Lord Buckley as well as Homer and Jethro, Mort Sahl as well as Jackie Mason, and tells you what their best records are. I also found out I have some albums worth BIG BUCKS! Yeah!! But he doesn't say where I can sell them. Great to find a book that's worth the money. Photos of album covers were good, too. Wish there was more of them.



3. The reference is very valuable, though not quite exhaustive. And if anything other than highbrow humor makes you laugh, then try to avoid reading the reviews of the albums, they'll just make you mad. The harsh criticism of record after record makes you wonder if the author actually has a sense of humor.