Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Roy Nichols · 24th Oct 2005, 3:19 pm

Is this radiogram a real 1936 GEC or a gussied up redo? I've never seen one quite like it. Here in the states mirrored deco items from the '30/'40s were available but not quite so bold. This is an interesting rig but did it originally come this way? Opinions?

http://i15.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/3d/1f/2e_1_b.JPG

http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/3d/1f/60_1_b.JPG

Here's the ebay.uk item: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MODERNIST-ART-...QQcmdZViewItem

Regards,

Roy

Sean Williams · 24th Oct 2005, 4:32 pm

Yuck!

I doubt is is anywhere near original (well, as the manfacturer intended)

It sure is a one off now though......

Im off to find a bucket to throw up in.....

Cheers
Sean

Station X · 24th Oct 2005, 4:50 pm

Quote:

Im off to find a bucket to throw up in.....

Well. The sellers eBay Shop name is "KITSCH U LIKE", which I'm sure is meant tongue in cheek.

For some people "The Birdie Song" is the height of sophistication.

Graham.

ppppenguin · 24th Oct 2005, 5:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1ecy

I'm off to find a bucket to throw up in.....

Make it a big one

If you had the set, you could watch yourself filling the bucket

What can we see in the mirrors? An unusual looking black chair and a rather large doll?

mickjjo · 24th Oct 2005, 5:49 pm

On reflection, (

) This idea could be attractive to compulsive radiogram collectors, Just buy a load of stick on mirror tiles and you can create the illusion of having more space where none exists

, A carefully placed candle could also cut your lighting bill....

.

Regards, Mick.

AC/HL · 24th Oct 2005, 6:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppppenguin

Make it a big one

If you had the set, you could watch yourself filling the bucket

What can we see in the mirrors? An unusual looking black chair and a rather large doll?

I wondered where Susie had got to

Seriously, though, It probably started off as a Decca, but is definitely not original as it stands.

Roy Nichols · 24th Oct 2005, 10:32 pm

I'm glad to hear you all feel the same way I did about this gem. My first thought was to look for a disco ball and John Travolta but then wondered if in fact it was authentic. Since most of the UK set's I've come across are rather attractive I couldn't imagine this piece was original but didn't want to start a transatlantic feud by running it down. This radio reminds me of a US trend where it was in vogue to modernize old radios and furniture by painting them black or white or green or better yet cover it with ugly contact paper. People called it "antiquing" and "shabby chic" or some other equally revolting term. I just called it ugly!

The items reflected in the mirrors certainly give a clue about the type of people who would find this radio attractive. Lifesize doll and fur rug with a mirrored radio? Hmm, sure leaves little to the imagination. Maybe the mirrors were leftover bits from readoing their bedroom. It makes a person wonder.

Regards,

Roy

ppppenguin · 24th Oct 2005, 10:54 pm

In the 1960s the hippy generation painted radios (and other things) in all sorts of trendy colours. We also put hardboard over nice panelled doors (thankyou Barry Bucknell). Hardly surprising if somebody tried mirrors. I wonder if it's a genuine 1960s job or a retro effect. Covers up all the woodworm holes

peter_scott · 25th Oct 2005, 3:38 pm

You have to admit, it's very well done. As to the seller he or she is honest and up front in their headline:

WE PUT THE CHIC INTO TONGUE IN CHEEK.UNUSUAL RETRO AND KITSCH INSPIRED GIFTS TO DELIGHT AND AMUSE YOUNG AND OLD FROM AROUND THE WORLD.SOME OF IT IS OLD BUT MOST OF IT,S NEW, WE HUNTED HIGH AND LOW FOR IT AND NOW WE BRING IT TO YOU.ENJOY MORE AT KITSCH U LIKE 151-152 FORE ST.EXETER.DEVON.UK.EX4 3AT

Seems to bear a passing resemblence to the attached.

paulsherwin · 25th Oct 2005, 7:06 pm

Roy, I can't think of *any* 1930s British radios or radiograms that look like this. The woodies tend to be subdued and even drab, especially in comparison with American radios of the same period. Brits liked their big radios to look like pieces of sensible furniture at that time, an attitude that persisted until the end of the 50s. Many of the cabinets were made by furniture manufacturers.

Best regards, Paul

paulsherwin · 25th Oct 2005, 7:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_scott

You have to admit, it's very well done. Seems to bear a passing resemblence to the attached.

Personally I'm not too upset about this, even though the transformation isn't to my taste. That GEC radiogram with a poor cabinet would be worth practically nothing, and would most likely be parted out or dumped as-is. At least this 'modification' has saved it from the tip.

Best regards, Paul

peter_scott · 25th Oct 2005, 7:21 pm

According to the description the glass is scratched and as shown damaged on one side, so it's unlikely that this piece was created yesterday and this type of deco item has suffered many years of being out of fashion prior to its revival in recent times.

It does look like a professional job from what can be seen in the photos. I suspect it is a genuine period piece.

Peter.

KEITHW · 13th Nov 2005, 6:53 pm

I thought this picture might help with the discussion on the originality of the mirrored radiogram. It's taken from Practical Wireless for 26th September 1936. The title reads 'The King of Siam and his special H.M.V. radiogram'. It goes on underneath 'The King of Siam, who is an enthusiastic radio listener, visited the "H.M.V." stand at Radiolympia, and bought a model 485a in a cabinet consisting of mirrors' which proves this kind of finish was being carried out in the 1930's. I wonder if this one still survives. Any one know the King of Siam ?!! Keith

24th Oct 2005, 3:19 pm	#1
Roy Nichols Triode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado, USA. Posts: 33	Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo Is this radiogram a real 1936 GEC or a gussied up redo? I've never seen one quite like it. Here in the states mirrored deco items from the '30/'40s were available but not quite so bold. This is an interesting rig but did it originally come this way? Opinions? http://i15.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/3d/1f/2e_1_b.JPG http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/3d/1f/60_1_b.JPG Here's the ebay.uk item: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MODERNIST-ART-...QQcmdZViewItem Regards, Roy

24th Oct 2005, 4:32 pm	#2
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo Yuck! I doubt is is anywhere near original (well, as the manfacturer intended) It sure is a one off now though...... Im off to find a bucket to throw up in..... Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

24th Oct 2005, 5:49 pm	#5
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo On reflection, ( ) This idea could be attractive to compulsive radiogram collectors, Just buy a load of stick on mirror tiles and you can create the illusion of having more space where none exists , A carefully placed candle could also cut your lighting bill.... . Regards, Mick.

24th Oct 2005, 10:32 pm	#7
Roy Nichols Triode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado, USA. Posts: 33	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo I'm glad to hear you all feel the same way I did about this gem. My first thought was to look for a disco ball and John Travolta but then wondered if in fact it was authentic. Since most of the UK set's I've come across are rather attractive I couldn't imagine this piece was original but didn't want to start a transatlantic feud by running it down. This radio reminds me of a US trend where it was in vogue to modernize old radios and furniture by painting them black or white or green or better yet cover it with ugly contact paper. People called it "antiquing" and "shabby chic" or some other equally revolting term. I just called it ugly! The items reflected in the mirrors certainly give a clue about the type of people who would find this radio attractive. Lifesize doll and fur rug with a mirrored radio? Hmm, sure leaves little to the imagination. Maybe the mirrors were leftover bits from readoing their bedroom. It makes a person wonder. Regards, Roy

24th Oct 2005, 10:54 pm	#8
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo In the 1960s the hippy generation painted radios (and other things) in all sorts of trendy colours. We also put hardboard over nice panelled doors (thankyou Barry Bucknell). Hardly surprising if somebody tried mirrors. I wonder if it's a genuine 1960s job or a retro effect. Covers up all the woodworm holes

25th Oct 2005, 3:38 pm	#9
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo You have to admit, it's very well done. As to the seller he or she is honest and up front in their headline: WE PUT THE CHIC INTO TONGUE IN CHEEK.UNUSUAL RETRO AND KITSCH INSPIRED GIFTS TO DELIGHT AND AMUSE YOUNG AND OLD FROM AROUND THE WORLD.SOME OF IT IS OLD BUT MOST OF IT,S NEW, WE HUNTED HIGH AND LOW FOR IT AND NOW WE BRING IT TO YOU.ENJOY MORE AT KITSCH U LIKE 151-152 FORE ST.EXETER.DEVON.UK.EX4 3AT Seems to bear a passing resemblence to the attached. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by peter_scott; 25th Oct 2005 at 4:03 pm.

25th Oct 2005, 7:06 pm	#10
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,975	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo Roy, I can't think of any 1930s British radios or radiograms that look like this. The woodies tend to be subdued and even drab, especially in comparison with American radios of the same period. Brits liked their big radios to look like pieces of sensible furniture at that time, an attitude that persisted until the end of the 50s. Many of the cabinets were made by furniture manufacturers. Best regards, Paul

25th Oct 2005, 7:21 pm	#12
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo According to the description the glass is scratched and as shown damaged on one side, so it's unlikely that this piece was created yesterday and this type of deco item has suffered many years of being out of fashion prior to its revival in recent times. It does look like a professional job from what can be seen in the photos. I suspect it is a genuine period piece. Peter. Last edited by peter_scott; 25th Oct 2005 at 7:25 pm.

13th Nov 2005, 6:53 pm	#13
KEITHW Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pocklington, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 171	Re: Rare deco radiogram or gaudy redo I thought this picture might help with the discussion on the originality of the mirrored radiogram. It's taken from Practical Wireless for 26th September 1936. The title reads 'The King of Siam and his special H.M.V. radiogram'. It goes on underneath 'The King of Siam, who is an enthusiastic radio listener, visited the "H.M.V." stand at Radiolympia, and bought a model 485a in a cabinet consisting of mirrors' which proves this kind of finish was being carried out in the 1930's. I wonder if this one still survives. Any one know the King of Siam ?!! Keith Attached Thumbnails