Photo Identification - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Countryford · #1 11-14-2013, 07:51 AM

I recently acquired some old film slides from my family. Some date back to the early 50's. I had them transfered to a cd disc. While looking through them I found several with a tv in it. Can anyone ID this tv?

The two girls in front of the TV are my aunts.

dieseljeep · #2 11-14-2013, 09:04 AM

[QUOTE=Countryford;3087125]I recently acquired some old film slides from my family. Some date back to the early 50's. I had them transfered to a cd disc. While looking through them I found several with a tv in it. Can anyone ID this tv?

The two girls in front of the TV are my aunts.

1957 Silvertone Medalist, 24 inch.

Findm-Keepm · #3 11-14-2013, 09:55 AM

It's in Sams 370 -the folder covers about 25 models, including the one in the pix. I had a working one similar to this set with a gold tone top panel, but it went to a cousin in Georgia in 2011. Good set, just too big for me.

Cheers,

Tubejunke · #4 11-14-2013, 11:03 PM

I found one of those at a dump site several years ago, but it was a 21" with selenium rectifiers. A very odd design really. I remember that the chassis was sort of wedged in above the crt at some strange angle. But once you pulled it a time or two you realized that it was pretty slick to yank out and service. It was one of the many that came and went through my house pretty quickly as I always have to fight to keep my modest abode from becoming a junk yard.

IF I had a warehouse, I would probably save every set I could get my hands on. I don't know why really, but I would. I have never understood the fascination and I wonder how many of us really do. I definitely get the impression that other people don't "get it" but I don't let that bother me. The "norm" has always been really boring and pointless to me.....

Countryford · #5 11-15-2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

IF I had a warehouse, I would probably save every set I could get my hands on. I don't know why really, but I would. I have never understood the fascination and I wonder how many of us really do. I definitely get the impression that other people don't "get it" but I don't let that bother me. The "norm" has always been really boring and pointless to me.....

I'm with you on that boat. If I had more room, I would have a bunch more TV sets. I have enough as it is (7 1950's consoles, 8 1960's consoles and one 1980's console at the house). I have more out in storage. I've had to let some go or pass on some.

Tubejunke · #6 11-25-2013, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryford

I'm with you on that boat. If I had more room, I would have a bunch more TV sets. I have enough as it is (7 1950's consoles, 8 1960's consoles and one 1980's console at the house). I have more out in storage. I've had to let some go or pass on some.

It's really hard to do! I think it is some sort of clinical O.C.D. or something as it's really hoarding. What makes it harder is the very limited interest in the "antique and/or collectable" world in anything electronic. It's almost like it's taboo or something unless it's a few key radios, or styles of radio; then the ever popular, but electronically worthless (by design) Philco Predicta. Some here won't want to hear the Philco statement, so sorry about that.

Anyway, this limited interest makes it hard to find homes for sets we come across, but don't wish to or for space can't keep. Scrapping a piece of history that will never be duplicated always is a heart breaker, but I have to do it from time to time because I can't give a set away and many Goodwill stores are getting where they won't take television sets because of the recent bombardment of Chinese plastic and glass that the country is crapping out of their living rooms so they can keep up with the "Flat" trend.

Then I always consider that if I take a set to a Goodwill and it doesn't sell, then it goes to the compactor, so I should have parted it after all. The last set I donated was a 56 Magnavox 21" floor model with the vertical chassis and controls hidden under a sliding door on top. Near mint condition with only some arching going on around the flyback that I had to replace. I just couldn't part it, BUT I can't see losing the value of the tubes, so I yanked those. I felt that the move might seal it's fate as a potential buyer may turn away fearing (like most folks) that tubes can't be bought anymore. I went back a week later and they told me that someone came and got the set the same day I dropped it off. Probably one of these "period" home decorators or "repurposers" or maybe another nut like me with boxes of tubes!

Then sometime lately I see threads where people are all excited over treasure finds that are one being similar to the Magnavox, and another that is a 58 21" Space Command. I pushed and pushed to find someone to pick up a 24" Space Command with new caps and drew almost zero interest. I'm not complaining about people here or anything, because it's all really a geographical roll of the dice as far as what people turn up with. It just happens to be near where they live. Along with location, size, weight and the fragile nature of a vintage set hinder trade or sale potential, so if that special person isn't in your area, or coming through it for some other reason, then you are stuck with the decisions that I have mentioned here.

Really, the only sane way to approach this hobby based on living in an average home and having an average income would be to first try to find table models primarily and then to concentrate restoration and/or maintenance and use to maybe two or three sets that are interesting enough and in good enough shape to warrant their care and your risk of divorce if married. Geez!

Sandy G · #7 11-25-2013, 07:42 AM

Oh, I've suffered out & out DERISION from family over my TV/Radio hobby...."Why do you want SO MANY, they all DO the same thing ?!? " Or, "You put WAY too much money into that foolishness..." This from a set of parents who thought nothing about dropping $75-100K on a goddam HORSE, or $12K for a SADDLE.. And I will tell you that to be as big & strong as they are, horses are walking Time Bombs...

Countryford · #8 12-01-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

What makes it harder is the very limited interest in the "antique and/or collectable" world in anything electronic.

Back when I was 16 or 17, I would frequent the antique stores in my area. I went into this once antique store(I should have walked out right away), it was filled with glass and porcelain stuff. I started browsing around, and this lady who worked there, asked if I needed any help. I told her, that I was looking for antique radios. She got all offended and said to me, "What do you think this is, a second-hand store?" In reality, an antique store is just an overpriced second-hand store. Needless to say, I never went back to that store.

I had to guy a couple of tv sets that, I couldn't justify restoring, just for them to not have a place, and try to find someone to give them to. I have enough that I am keeping and won't get rid of, but there are a few that just need so much work, that the parts are worth more than the complete set, at least to me.

Olorin67 · #9 03-23-2014, 10:30 PM

I saw that same model Silvertone on a recent nationwide craigslist search, but it was too far away from me.. Looks like a cool set! Anyone know who made it for Sears? TV lamps like that go for decent money these days.

dieseljeep · #10 03-24-2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olorin67

I saw that same model Silvertone on a recent nationwide craigslist search, but it was too far away from me.. Looks like a cool set! Anyone know who made it for Sears? TV lamps like that go for decent money these days.

The set was the TOTL model for the 1957 model year. It's a Warwick built set. Warwick was the main supplier of Sears electronic products at the time.
They also had a few other firms building some items.