Dr Cecil's radio crystal - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SA-Draadloos · 27th Aug 2005, 12:42 pm

Does anyone have any info on these crystals? I picked up a few of these - in tiny little red boxes. Each containing a small crystal - without the cats whisker. What sort of date could I put on its production?

James

Ed_Dinning · 30th Aug 2005, 9:39 am

Hi James, these were advertised up until the early 30's in some of the radio magazines. I believe they were all basically a form of Gelena, PbS, lead sulphide one of the primaty ores of lead. I have used samples from the waste tips of the old lead mines in the north of England quite successfully, but I was told that most of the commercial crystals were manufactured. I don't think any of the tins I have contained a "cats whisker".

Ed

Paul_RK · 30th Aug 2005, 10:54 am

Hi James.

Tudor Rees, in the days of his Vintage Wireless Company, must have acquired a very large stock of these boxed Dr. Cecil's crystals, as he was selling them for quite a few years from, I would guess, the late 1970s on, both singly and I think for a while in cartons of possibly a gross. I don't think they ever came with catswhiskers. I bought one at the time and still have it, as well as a couple of crystal tins. One of these is a Neutron, "concert tested and guaranteed, catswhisker and directions enclosed", the other a Mighty Atom, which still contains a crystal, catswhisker and pair of tweezers nestling in cotton padding. I'd suspect their economy presentation and the existence of various surviving stocks mean that the Dr. Cecil's crystals were of relatively late date. I suppose they could even be the result of someone overestimating the wartime resurgence in crystal set use, but late '20s- early '30s seems more likely unless anyone knows to the contrary.

Paul

27th Aug 2005, 12:42 pm	#1
SA-Draadloos Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 36	Dr Cecil's radio crystal Does anyone have any info on these crystals? I picked up a few of these - in tiny little red boxes. Each containing a small crystal - without the cats whisker. What sort of date could I put on its production? James Attached Thumbnails

30th Aug 2005, 9:39 am	#2
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Dr Cecil's radio crystal Hi James, these were advertised up until the early 30's in some of the radio magazines. I believe they were all basically a form of Gelena, PbS, lead sulphide one of the primaty ores of lead. I have used samples from the waste tips of the old lead mines in the north of England quite successfully, but I was told that most of the commercial crystals were manufactured. I don't think any of the tins I have contained a "cats whisker". Ed

30th Aug 2005, 10:54 am	#3
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Dr Cecil's radio crystal Hi James. Tudor Rees, in the days of his Vintage Wireless Company, must have acquired a very large stock of these boxed Dr. Cecil's crystals, as he was selling them for quite a few years from, I would guess, the late 1970s on, both singly and I think for a while in cartons of possibly a gross. I don't think they ever came with catswhiskers. I bought one at the time and still have it, as well as a couple of crystal tins. One of these is a Neutron, "concert tested and guaranteed, catswhisker and directions enclosed", the other a Mighty Atom, which still contains a crystal, catswhisker and pair of tweezers nestling in cotton padding. I'd suspect their economy presentation and the existence of various surviving stocks mean that the Dr. Cecil's crystals were of relatively late date. I suppose they could even be the result of someone overestimating the wartime resurgence in crystal set use, but late '20s- early '30s seems more likely unless anyone knows to the contrary. Paul Last edited by mikelect; 30th Aug 2005 at 11:10 am. Reason: syntax