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The radios at the beginning of this page were listed in the Fall-Winter 1941-42
catalog. They would have been the new 1942 models, introduced in the fall
just like cars. Of course, with the war starting in December, 1941, it's hard to
say how many of these radios were produced.
The four radios at the very bottom of the page were listed in a generic
1942 catalog. I've included more information about them below.
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| S-7402-7 "The Mercury" |
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This is a cute, entry level bakelite set. The tiny cabinet includes a
5 tube chassis, with 4.5" speaker. The radio retailed for $9.95.
These seem to be slightly uncommon, harder to find radios. Is it possible
that many buyers passed this set by for the higher priced Firestones?
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| S7402-5 "The Commentator" |
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Another 5-tube bakelite set, this set offered a slightly larger speaker
than the Mercury, but alost cost $3 more. These radios seem to come
up for sale on e-Bay fairly often, and they are not unreasonably priced.
This set does not seem to have come in any color other than white.
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| S-7403-2 "The Diplomat" |
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The Diplomat is a 6-tube bakelite set with a fancy cabinet. The dial on these
radios is red, providing an interesting contrast with the white cabinet. Many
people are now repainting these radios in a variety of colors, and sometimes painting
the grille in a second color for contrast. To my knowledge, the Diplomat only
came in white. It was not even offered in plain brown bakelite. The Spring-Summer 1941 catalog
picture lacks a Firestone Air Chief decal on the front of the radio. The Fall-Winter 1941-42 catalog
shows the radio with a decal. There may have been two versions. A radio without a decal
may (or may not) have been repainted.
A photo of a Diplomat is available at the Radio Attic Archives here.
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| S7398-1 "The Beaumont" |
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This is a stunning little 6-tube AC/DC set with a Stewart Warner manufactured
cabinet. The front of the cabinet features strips of burl photofinish on the top
and bottom edges -- be careful if you refinish one of these radios! It is
very easy to ruin the photofinish.
This is a popular radio which tends to bring high prices when they are available.
A photo of a Beaumont is available at the Radio Attic Archives here.
A photo of the Stewart Warner version of this radio is available here.
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| S7398-2 "The Olympic" |
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I believe this radio to have an Ingraham cabinet, but have no way of
know for sure. It is a very interesting design, and they look quite
stunning in person. I have two of these, neither of which I've gotten
around to restoring. They don't seem to be nearly as common as some
of the other Firestone's from this year -- perhaps buyers weren't attracted
to the simple, boxy case?
Click here for a picture of an Olympic.
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| S7398-3 "The Cosmopolitan" |
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This radio sports a very interesting design. The case has a large dial and combines
multiple kinds of veneers, at angles to each other. However, this radio
does use a photo-finish on the grille area, so do not attempt to refinish
one of these without using caution!
My example has a nice, original finish, now I just have to find it so I can
photograph it!
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| S7398-6/S7398-5 "The Aristocrat" |
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I hate to say it, but I find this radio to be quite ugly. Even though I specialize
in Firestone radios, this is one that may never end up in my collection. I'm not
sure what I find un-appealing about it, probalby the columns on the side.
It did come in both mahogany and walnut, so you could pick your finish of choice.
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| S7398-8 "The Pan American" |
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This is an interesting puzzle of a radio. It appears to have been made under
at least three model numbers. Notice how in Fall/Winter 1941-42, it is known
as the "Pan American". In the 1942 catalog (just below), it has become "The Intercepter".
This radio was also produced post-war. There is also a Stewart Warner version
of this radio, so I belive it is an SW design.
This is a top of the line table radio, with 7 tubes, three bands, spread tuning,
electric pushbuttons, large speaker, and fm-tv attachment. Quite a radio!
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| I believe the radios below were intended for 1942, but may not have been
produced for very long. The catalog which these came from is simply listed as "1942",
without
a Spring-Summer or Fall-Winter designation. However, the catalog does mention
wartime rationing, war bonds, etc. Therefore, this catalog had to have come
out sometime in 1942, it certainly is not a Fall-Winter 1941/1942 catalog (I
have one of those).
So, these radios are simply attributed to 1942, but I'm not sure when they
were introduced, or how long they were produced before domestic radio
production was halted. |
| 7402-8 "The Melodia" |
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An interesting radio, almost surely made by Stewart Warner (I've seen a similar
radio with the SW name on it). If I'm not mistaken, the grille on this
radio is tenite, a plastic which shrinks over time. It's likely that
few survived in pristine condition. This does not appear to be a very common
radio.
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| 7397-9 "The Intercepter" |
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| This was a high-end table model,
with a 7-tube compliment, several bands, and pushbuttons. The price of $47.95
reflected the quality of this radio! This may have been the first Firestone radio to offer
the FM band. This radio was also produced post war - it is pictured in the 1947
catalog as well.
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| 7397-1 "The Vagabond" |
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A small portable, the Vagabond was advertised as being "Ideal for soldiers
at camps", another indication that these radios were being sold when the US was
already at war.
An AC, DC, or battery set, it retailed for $19.95.
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| 7393-1 "The Sonata" |
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The Sonata is a rather unremarkable seven tube console. It featured a ten inch speaker,
radio/phone combo, and retailed for $109.95.
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