Kolster-Brandes trf set, 1931

[ianj]

Hi,

This is a K-B trf from 1931, here in the U.K; although German sounding, Kolster-Brandes was in fact an English firm that was taken over by ITT in the mid-1970s................these K-Bs are extremely rare as most caught fire or blew up on the shop counter..............a shame, as the art-deco cabinets were lovely!

[Sandy G]

You certainly have some beautiful & interesting sets there, Chief ! (grin)

[dotfret]

Originally Posted by ianj

although German sounding, Kolster-Brandes was in fact an English firm that was taken over by ITT in the mid-1970s..

Brandes was a Canadian loudspeaker and headset manufacturer, amalgamated with The Federal Telegraph Company of California to form Federal-Brandes in 1922, which had been selling into GB from around 1924. They also sold Kolster receivers, and became part of ITT in 1928.

Kolster-Brandes (KB) was an indirect subsidiary of ITT (controlled as part of STC) from its inception in 1928, formed to sell the designs of the Kolster Radio Corporation into the English market. The company was operated as Brandes until 1930, when the name Kolster-Brandes was adopted.

Brimar valves was founded in 1933, on the KB site, so that US valve designs, needed for the Kolster circuits, could be produced in England.

In the late 60s, the products were rebranded as ITT-KB - but you cannot take over what you already own!