Artmink

American Art Deco Period Walnut-Veneer Tabletop Tube Radio

By: Unknown (comparable to Philco, Emerson, or Montgomery Ward ‘Airline’ models)

Style: Art Deco / Streamline Moderne

Origin: United States

Materials: Walnut veneer over hardwood/plywood cabinet, woven grille cloth, glass dial lens, printed dial card, wood or Bakelite knobs

Age: circa 1938–1942

Condition: Fair (heavy dust and veneer scratches, unknown working order, one knob appears split; grille cloth worn; not tested)

Value: $40–$100 (auction, as-found; higher if working after service)

Maker's Marks / Writing: Dial shows a circular scale with central emblem; lettering not legible in the photo (possibly ‘Airline’ or similar). No cabinet label visible.

Date: 2025-10-25 11:41:38.539940

Description:

Compact wooden mantel radio with rounded corners, left-side louvered grille over woven cloth, right-side rectangular glass dial window with a circular multicolor scale behind it, and two front control knobs. Typical late-1930s Streamline look; likely a 5–6 tube superheterodyne AM set.

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

Well-worn but appealing period tabletop tube radio with classic Deco proportions. The cabinet and dial layout strongly indicate a late-1930s American consumer set. Condition is dusty with scratches and a possibly split knob; working status unknown. Do not power on without proper servicing. A word about fakes.. retro-styled reproduction radios (e.g., 1990s–2000s Crosley) exist, but those usually have modern electronics and different dials; this example shows period patina and construction consistent with an original pre-war set.

Individual Images:

• none

Provenance:

None provided

Condition:

Fair (heavy dust and veneer scratches, unknown working order, one knob appears split; grille cloth worn; not tested)

Identification Score: 85%

Form, grille treatment, two-knob control layout, and round multi-scale dial behind a rectangular window match common American Art Deco mantel tube radios from the late 1930s. Brand cannot be read, but the type is clear.

Authenticity Score: 70%

Veneer wear, aged grille cloth, period glass/dial printing, and overall construction look original to the late 1930s–early 1940s. Maker/model label and chassis not shown, and reproductions exist, so score kept conservative.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

Art Deco radio, Streamline Moderne, American radio, walnut veneer, tabletop tube radio, 1930s radio, vintage electronics, USA

Report ID:  : 3k9ynj

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