The ‘golden age of radio’ may be gone, but antique radios are still going strong. Whether you’re interested in a specific manufacturer (RCA, Philco, Zenith, Crosley, Emerson) or style (catalin, transistor, cathedral or console), there’s a radio out there for you.
You can identify most antique radios by model number, which can include any combination of letters and numbers. If you don't see a manufacturer's name, look inside the chassis, as it may be stamped on the tubes or other components.
The earliest radios were typically bare components (e.g. glass tubes) mounted on a board. Later came plain wooden or metal boxes, and by the late 1920s, elaborate cabinets designed to look like real furniture. Cathedral and tombstone style wooden cabinets were popular during the 1930s. And Art Deco style radios made of Bakelite, Catalin and other early resins or plastics (Plaskon, Beetle, etc) became popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Transistors were introduced in 1957, displacing tubes and enabling miniaturization...
Although you may be able to play an unrestored antique radio, note that its capacitors are likely to fail without warning (and may also pose a fire hazard), so replacing them pre-emptively is advisable.
Interviews & Articles
Understanding Antique Radios

You've just acquired an old radio, but apart from the manufacturer's name on the front, you don't know a blessed thing about it. L… [more]
Vintage Transistor Radios of the 1950s and 60s

Perhaps you recently saw a picture of a cool looking pocket radio from the early 1960’s and were reminded of your carefree, youthf… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Jim's Antique Radio Museum

Jim Tripp's showcase of radios from the 1920s to late 1950s, organized by style and theme (wood, console, plastic, … [read review or visit site]
The Radio Attic's Archives

This photo gallery of over 7800 vintage radios, categorized by manufacturer and model number, is a group effort wit… [read review or visit site]
AntiqueRadios.com

Alan Voorhees' reference resource for vintage radio collectors includes a photo gallery, article library, PDF archi… [read review or visit site]
Radiomuseum.org

This vast archive and community of radio collectors features over 120,000 radio model listings and 350,000 photos a… [read review or visit site]
Phil's Old Radios

This extensive collection of antique radios includes beautiful photos and detailed historical descriptions. The sit… [read review or visit site]
Radiophile.com

John Pelham's collection of wood and plastic radios from the 1930's and 40's. What sets this site apart is the deta… [read review or visit site]
Radio-Guy

Steve Erenberg's extremely wacky and well-done collection of vintage mad-scientist devices and contraptions. Writte… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Radios
- Antique Wireless Association
- Southeastern Antique Radio Society
- New Jersey Antique Radio Club
- British Vintage Wireless Society
- California Historical Radio Society
Discussion Forums: Radios
Other Great Reference Sites: Radios
Top eBay Auctions
Recent News: Radios
Source: Google News
Alaska Notebook: Music stops
Anchorage Daily News, May 15thThe station carried vintage radio shows and once or twice I caught "Twilight Zone' on Sunday nights. But who says you can't cross generations? I remember my dad's uncharacteristic forbearance when I treated him to Woody Herman's "Woodchopper's Ball"...Read more
East Lynne Theater Company's 2013 Season
Cape May County Herald (press release), May 14th1 and 2 at 8:00 p.m., it's "Holmes and Carter Mysteries," ELTC's popular vintage-radio style production, complete with live sound effects and commercials, with two great detectives! "Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Copper Beeches" about a governess in...Read more
Warehouse on Fifth is made in both Sherwood Park and the past
Sherwood Park News, May 13thMan versus himself because the lead character Doug (played by Roberts), is an antique radio collector who is going through some hard times. He doesn't have enough money to finish the renovations on his house, he'd hope to be able to pay off his...Read more
BRIAN DONALD KENNY
Fort Dodge Messenger, May 13thUniversity where he obtained a degree in engineering in 1988. After graduation, Brian worked as a civil engineer at MER engineering for the duration of his career. Brian enjoyed spending his time with family, bird watching and restoring vintage radios...Read more
Allen Street's radio retreat
New York Post, May 12thPicture an antique radio wall and Art Deco milk glass pendants above the bar, along with classic New York cocktails and craft beers across four different rooms. There's also a 30-person lounge with leather couches. *. Cafe Habana, which got its start...Read more
Meeting place May 12
Greenville Daily Reflector, May 12thAntique Radio Club: The East Carolina Antique Radio Club meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sheppard Memorial Library, 530 Evans St. Call Richard Bridges at 355-8254. Barbershop Chorus: The Greenville Area Barbershop Chorus, “The Carolina Chord...Read more
Author turns polemicist in a world of corruption and lies
The Australian, May 10thLike the most recent James Bond film, Skyfall, A Delicate Truth is technophobic - Bond has a vintage radio transmitter, Toby an old-fashioned tape recorder - and nostalgic for a bygone age of British importance in world affairs. Le Carré, who in a...Read more
'Five Guys' step up to offer musical advice
ThisWeekNews, May 8thIf you answered "to an antique radio, out of which appear five characters sharing the wisdom of pre-rock 'n' roller Louis Jordan in song," then you've probably already seen Five Guys Named Moe. The show, which CATCO will present through May 26, finds...Read more
If These Shirts Could Talk: The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes
Jockeying for Position: How Boxers and Briefs Got Into Men's Pants
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?
Love at First Kite: How Pizza and Pente Led to One Oklahoman's High-Flying Obsession
Blood, Sweat, and Steel: My Afternoon with the Ace of Swords
'The Great Gatsby' Still Gets Flappers Wrong
Say Ahhh: An Oral Surgeon's Quest to Reimagine the Garage-Band Guitar
Forget TV Pickers, Meet the Real Mavericks of the Antiques World
Coveting The Craziest Cat-People Collectibles

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