Strange RCA Victor portable TV antenna
 

Has anyone seen something like this before?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272358846502?ul_noapp=true

Yes, I had one years ago. Be aware that's it a big goofy looking thing. I got mine cheap somewhere, but never could find a place to display it and just sold it.

Any idea what vintage it is? It sure looks crude.

I never found any info on it, although I was curious about it too. I get the feeling it's mid-'50's. Possibly it was used as a sales display/promotional piece? It's just so ridiculously big in person that it looks strange atop a vintage TV.

The wood base and oversize hardware says 1940s or even 1930s, but on the other hand "portable TV" doesn't jibe with that. Maybe it means it's a portable antenna for a large cabinet TV, not that it was an antenna for a portable TV.

It's possible, although I wouldn't go far as the 1930's. RCA used the free-form style logo then:
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mzUAAM...r3n/s-l300.jpg
The block-style logo was post-war.
I agree about it not referring to a portable TV. By the way, the discs can be positioned anywhere on the rods with a set-screw.

Kind of resembles barbells... Could look well in a weight training room :D

SR

Construction of it makes it look more industrial/commercial than consumer to me.