Philco 123 Color TV Found On Craigslist

[Philco123]

Hello all.

I am a new member to this informative website and new to the hobby of vintage color TV collecting and restoration. The exchange of technical tips and troubleshooting methods is very helpful.

I recently acquired a 1955 (possibly 1956) Philco Color TV on Craigslist. After doing a little research, it looks like there were only 500 of these units produced. It is missing a few knobs, but the cabinet is in overall great shape and the original 21axp22 hasn't gone to air. The TV will arrive soon and I hope the CRT tests good. In the interim, I thought I would inquire whether anyone has experience with the Philco 123 chassis or any pointers/tips to pass on as I start the restoration process.

Appreciate any insight you all can pass on.

Thanks. Jeff in Springfield, VA

[Steve D.]

Jeff,

Nice score. Those are rare sets. Hopefully you have already located this site:http://www.earlytelevision.org/pdf/p...123_manual.pdf

Please keep us updated. There are at least 3 members on this site that own Philco 123 color receivers. Hopefully they will chime in.

-Steve D.

[Don Lindsly]

I worked on many of those sets in the 50s. I bought my TV123 from the factory and sold it to my boss a few years later. He sold it to another employee and I lost track.

They worked well, but required serious maintenance. There was a mod kit that greatly improved reliability. The service shop only needed serial # and ask the distributor for a kit. The shop got $20 to install it. Many sets escaped the mods. When you get the TV, let the forum know and we can tell you if it has been updated.

Don

[miniman82]

I'm in Norfolk not too far away, if you need any help with it.

[Tubejunke]

Do you have a way to post a picture?

[Philco123]

Thanks Steve, Don and everyone else for the tips and suggested web sites to visit. The set arrived yesterday evening. I removed the back panel and checked the 21AXP22 CRT this morning. It tests strong for emissions on all 3 guns with no shorts. Looks like it is shaping up as an excellent set to restore. I just need to locate a few of the missing knobs and would appreciate any pointers anyone can offer. Also, I snapped a few pictures this morning, but need an assist with uploading options to post on this site.

Jeff

[Tubejunke]

Just click Post Reply, then scroll down to Manage Attachments and click that. A new window will open to let you brouse your PC's directory for the file. Click Open when you find the file and then click Upload on the new or second window. Once it loads the attachment will appear on your original Post Reply page.

Hope this helps and this sounds like a great find. Didn't mean to sound flip about wanting pictures. Just want to see what you have found. I tried to look it up in Northern VA Craigslist and couldn't find it. I know it's sold; just thought that the ad may linger. Good luck!

[Philco123]

Hello Folks,

This morning, I removed the back panel and used my Sencore CR161 CRT tester to check the 21AXP22. It checked good for emissions on all 3 guns with no shorts. The flyback appears to be good as well. No evidence of a melt down. Cabinet is good to excellent as well. Seems to be a decent find and candidate for comprehensive restoration. Just need to locate those blasted missing knobs now.

Appreciate any assist anyone can offer on the knobs or any other aspects of this restoration.

Thanks,

Jeff in Springfield, VA

[Philco123]

Here's a few more pictures....

Jeff

[jr_tech]

WOW! That is a jaw-dropping gorgeous set! What a great find... It is difficult to imagine that a rarity such as that can still exist out there "in the wild" and turn up on Craigslist, but obviously it *can* happen.
Thanks for posting the pix....Congratulations!

jr

[Eric H]

Original Philco CRT? Little dust in the HV area, probably a very low hours set!

The knobs that are there are the same as used on some B&W sets so chances are the missing ones will be common as well.
What might be difficult is the cover that goes over them.

A set like this might be a suitable knob donor, wish I could see what they actually look like so I could search my bucket of knobs.

[Sandy G]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

wow! That is a jaw-dropping gorgeous set! What a great find... It is difficult to imagine that a rarity such as that can still exist out there "in the wild" and turn up on craigslist, but obviously it *can* happen.
Thanks for posting the pix....congratulations!

Jr

+1.

[Phil Nelson]

Zowie, what an amazing find. The ETF website says that only 500 of those were made, so I suspect there may be only a handful left -- especially in such pristine condition. Getting a strong 21AXP22 is a very big bonus.

Congratulations!

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

[BigDavesTV]

That's a beautiful Philco, and amazing the 21AXP22 is still good, congratulations! Looking forward to pictures of it working someday!

[etype2]

Great find!