Posted 12 years ago
rocker-sd
(119 items)
This is a Mid Century Modern, Regency Mandarin Red, TR-4 transistor radio, circa 1956. It is almost mint condition with it's original leather case and ear microphone. I spent some time researching this radio. It is the second of this model the first being the Regency TR-1. The TR-1 sells for $500.00 to $700.00, just for the radio. The main difference between the two is the TR-4 has a aluminum dial plate and the TR-1 has a heavier brass dial plate. Most of the Regency radios I have seen listed for sale are for the radios only and the cases and earphones listed separately. I think this is because the case and earhones are same for both models. My delema is if I were to list this for sale should I keep them together as a set or should I list them separate for the highest profit potential?
I doubt it makes a big difference how you list the individual items. There were very few TR-1's made and less than 2000 known to exist today. Therefore the asking price is high. A working TR-4 can be purchased for around $40.
Thanks for the imput fhrjr2, I have seen the leather Cases selling for $50 and up, and the earhones bring $35. There is currently a Mandarin Red TR-4 on e-bay with a $169.95 bid with 4 days remaining on the auction.
People on eBay will certainly buy and bid. I have shipped radios from Florida to Hawaii from eBay sales. Your case when new sold for $3.95 so if you get $50 that is a pretty sweet profit I would say.
I would love to get my hands on one of these but them always go for more than I can justify. I'm waiting to find one in an antique store where someone might not know what they have...lol... I would list them seperately. Like you say, a TR-1 owner might want the case and pay a bit more for it. I'm thinking that's a $200-$300 radio easy. Thanks for sharing it!!!
I have quite a few transistors but nothing as nice as this one. Here's a link to a few of mine. I have more posted if you'd care to look....
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/7462-three-early-transistor-radios?in=user
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