1953 Motorola
 

Hi all,

I'm new here and am posting to help my parents. They're cleaning out their house and have what I believe is a 1953 Motorola 21K4, serial number A 249720. I know nothing about old televisions. My parents would like to confirm this set's identity and potentially sell it. Any information on proper ID and value would be appreciated! Here are some pictures. The set looks to be in decent shape from the outside with the exception of the finish wearing off on the top and sides of the wooden case.

Hi and welcome to VK.

I moved this post to this Forum because even though it's a rectangular screen it's an early B&W set.

Ok, thanks!

Hi. It sure looks like a 21K4 to me. TS-292 chassis and 21FP4 CRT.

looks like a classic

From the TV History website:

http://www.tvhistory.tv/1953-Motorola-21K4.JPG

I'm afraid the value is not great -- under $100 in my book if the picture tube is good. 21-inch consoles from the mid-1950s are not in much demand with collectors.

If the picture tube is shot, then the value is greatly reduced because nobody in the world can rebuild them any longer, and you might have to spend $100 for a replacement.

You need a picture tube tester to tell if the tube is good enough to use for everyday watching. You could contact an area radio/TV collector club and ask if someone there would lend you his tester or meet you somewhere to test it. Here's a list of US clubs:

http://antiqueradio.com/clublist.html

Absent a CRT tester, about all you can do is check the tube's filaments with an ohmmeter to see if it is burned out. This article explains how:

http://antiqueradio.org/FirstStepsInRestoration.htm

If the tube filament is burned out, then the tube is shot, end of story. If it is intact, then you need a CRT tester for the rest of the story. It might be nearly as bright as a new one, or it might be so dim that you couldn't bear to watch a program on it.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

I second all of Phil's points--but add that there's no way that's a 21" set. It may use nearly the same chassis as the 21K4 (or not, who knows) but it's for sure a 17" set.

I'm local to you, in Cheektowaga. There are very few TV guys in our area, maybe 3 or 4 "heavy hitters" including myself. But as we know, CL is replete with buyers from everywhere.

I do have a CRT tester, and can test the picture tube and give it a look over to determine a fair value for the set. But experience tells me that in this area, with a good picture tube, that set would command about $50 at best. Now if we can actually get a picture on the thing.....well, that may be a different story :)

I actually know the 21K4 chassis decently well, I had one years ago with a beautiful blonde cabinet that worked, but the picture tube was really weak and eventually was only usable in a dark room. Gave the set to a theater company in Springville that was looking for props for a play from the 1950s era.

Thanks all for the replies.

Kamakiri - let me talk to my parents and see if they're open to having you look over the set. They're in Lancaster. I appreciate you offering to do so!

I'll get back to you all.

I agree... more likely a console version of this set:
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1953-Motorola-17T11.JPG
jr

Kamakiri - I've talked with my folks and would like to set up a time to have you come over and check the set out. Can you send me a private message to plan things out?

I have the table version of the same set mine was given to me by friend
He

Sure, sending PM....