American UK midget radio. (Libertas super ).
 

A friend has acquired what looks to be an American midget superhet radio. Perhaps one of the ones imported in the early 1940s. Some of the components are British made. I wonder if anyone can identify the model.
TIA
Peter

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Looks interesting I’ve heard of some American radios being imported before the Utility radio project was launched. One problem with doing this was a lack of spare parts. Maybe this was based on a pre-war design that was designed to be assembled using British parts to get around import taxes.

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Maybe RCA, early '30s. Here's a very similar one:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_r_27_acdc_r27_2.html

I've also got one, acquired at a Dulwich table top sale a few years ago. Mine has UX series valves.

Re: American UK midget radio
 

I like the look of it but compared with my American 1939 RCA Victor 45X11 it looks a lot older, it looks more like a 1930's rather than a 1940's set. I've attached a pic' to show the difference.

John

Herald1360 beat me, must learn to type faster.

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Try this one , 1933 Colonial 250 .looks similar . Mick.

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Try the guys on the American Radio Forum - usually very helpful.

https://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php

Mike

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Found it!

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/libertas_super.html

Given the maker's name, perhaps not too surprising to have (another) one turn up!

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Bestone were one of the more prominent importers, they commonly fitted a line cord dropper, new coils and a wavechange switch sticking out the back. Usually extremely dangerous with accessible metalwork so I converted the few USA sets I have back to 120V.

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Many thanks for all the responses. I have also referred my friend to the US Vintage radio forum.

P

Re: American UK midget radio
 

Excellent! Many thanks. Very helpful.

Re: American UK midget radio. (Libertas super ).
 

I presume this was an early "second radio" designed for use in bedrooms & kitchens.

Some of the lightly later ones are nicknamed "toasters" by Americans, due to the style and probably because they were often used in kitchens.

Re: American UK midget radio. (Libertas super ).
 

I had one of these sets for a long while without knowing what actual model it was (besides being an "American midget").
The most recent patent number on the back would date it to c.1932, which fits with the styling. ("Vintage Radio" by Morgan McMahon has a list of the first American patent numbers for even dated years from 1900 to 1950, Jan 1932 starts with 1,850,000).
Mike.