Ambassador radiogram - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pete_kaye · 13th Nov 2014, 7:32 pm

I spotted a late 1930's or 40's radiogram in Sheffield in a house reclamation centre yesterday. It has an art deco look about it and treated woodworm! It has side opening units for records & it looked like walnut.
Seller asking £50. Anyone want a phone number or details?

G6Tanuki · 14th Nov 2014, 9:11 pm

Radiograms are really rather worthless - they're heavy/bulky and don't fit in with modern aesthetics.

Truth is, sellers are likely to be offered "I'll take-it-off-your-hands-for-£5" - and then plundered for any valuable valves/transformers/variable-capacitors and then the legacy woody carapace gets fed into a stove.

Cobaltblue · 14th Nov 2014, 9:53 pm

Unfortunately thats a fair assesment but I do have a number of Grams and I know others members also have Grams

Unless its something special £50 does sound a bit steep.

Finding the model and maker may help I only buy Cossor Grams these days.

Other collectors may be interested in other brands

Cheers

Mike T

ukcol · 15th Nov 2014, 1:33 pm

As has been said radiograms in general are not sort after but there are some notable exceptions.

Most radiograms are just an ordinary table radio chassis in a big box with a record deck of course, but 'grams with big amplifiers and/or genuine art deco cabinets can generate interest.

In about the early 1940s Ambassador made some PA amplifiers with a built in radio tuner designed to be used for entertainment in factories (models P142,P143,P145 & P146) but I can't find any evidence that they produced a gram with a big push-pull amplifier, or one with an art deco cabinet for that matter.

If you can get a picture, showing the cabinet and the record deck, it would help.

Pete_kaye · 16th Nov 2014, 3:34 pm

I will go back with my camera soon.

mark pirate · 16th Nov 2014, 3:54 pm

I think £50 is very optimistic

I have three radiograms, two from the mid thirties which cost me £10 and £20 respectively.
My 1961 Bush Stereogram cost all of £1!
It is a sad fact that these are generally unloved due to the amount of space they take up, but I have noticed recently that the more stylish ones seem to have no trouble finding buyers.

Mark

13th Nov 2014, 7:32 pm	#1
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Ambassador radiogram I spotted a late 1930's or 40's radiogram in Sheffield in a house reclamation centre yesterday. It has an art deco look about it and treated woodworm! It has side opening units for records & it looked like walnut. Seller asking £50. Anyone want a phone number or details?

14th Nov 2014, 9:11 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Ambassador radiogram Radiograms are really rather worthless - they're heavy/bulky and don't fit in with modern aesthetics. Truth is, sellers are likely to be offered "I'll take-it-off-your-hands-for-£5" - and then plundered for any valuable valves/transformers/variable-capacitors and then the legacy woody carapace gets fed into a stove.

14th Nov 2014, 9:53 pm	#3
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,865	Re: Ambassador radiogram Unfortunately thats a fair assesment but I do have a number of Grams and I know others members also have Grams Unless its something special £50 does sound a bit steep. Finding the model and maker may help I only buy Cossor Grams these days. Other collectors may be interested in other brands Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

15th Nov 2014, 1:33 pm	#4
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Ambassador radiogram As has been said radiograms in general are not sort after but there are some notable exceptions. Most radiograms are just an ordinary table radio chassis in a big box with a record deck of course, but 'grams with big amplifiers and/or genuine art deco cabinets can generate interest. In about the early 1940s Ambassador made some PA amplifiers with a built in radio tuner designed to be used for entertainment in factories (models P142,P143,P145 & P146) but I can't find any evidence that they produced a gram with a big push-pull amplifier, or one with an art deco cabinet for that matter. If you can get a picture, showing the cabinet and the record deck, it would help.

16th Nov 2014, 3:34 pm	#5
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: Ambassador radiogram I will go back with my camera soon.

16th Nov 2014, 3:54 pm	#6
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Ambassador radiogram I think £50 is very optimistic I have three radiograms, two from the mid thirties which cost me £10 and £20 respectively. My 1961 Bush Stereogram cost all of £1! It is a sad fact that these are generally unloved due to the amount of space they take up, but I have noticed recently that the more stylish ones seem to have no trouble finding buyers. Mark