I was recently give a tour by an important but "under the radar screen" television collector and was pleased to see his Sears Silvertone Rectangular Color Set - a set I had not seen since its introduction.
This is a historically significant color receiver as it was the first import from Japan and was one of the first rectangular receivers.
Doing some research in my files, I have now found an article (in a Sam's special issue on Color Television) on the Sears set, named a Silvertone, and built by Toshiba. The article (at that time) claimed it was the first Japanese set to enter the U.S. market and the first to get U.L. approval. It came out in 1964-65. List was 349.95 while U.S. 21-inch rounds started at $380.00. There are color pix of the chassis in the article. They called it a 16-inch rectangular - it had a small compact floor standing cabinet - it looks like a small toy TV. I remember a trip of mine to Sears to see that set.
I have added that Sears set to the pioneering color receiver data base that Steve McVoy and I edit and maintain at:
http://www.earlytelevision.org/color_database.html
I am pleased that "roundscreen" also has one and will add his set to the list - his set will make two of these known. I would appreciate a model number and copies of any documentation that he has.
Yes, Sears did bring out an early 15GP22 color set in 1954. If the owner/collector of that set ops to come forward he can confirm it with photos.
Thanks,
Ed Reitan
"Colortel"