Mantel Radio [Philco 401]
Maker and role
Dominion Radio and Electric Corporation Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
1953
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2021.13
Production period
Description
Philco Model 401 four valve mantel radio, also known as a Philco Nevada. This model mantel radio was made in 1953 by Dominion Radio and Electrical Corp (Dreco).
The radio is rectangular with the speaker taking up the left-hand side of the front of the radio. On the right-hand side is the display with text, "KILOCYCLES / P / STATION NAMES / [...]". Beneath the display are two dials with "PHILCO" engraved between them. The rear of the radio exposes the mechanics inside. A label on the speaker reads, "MODEL 5B / ROLA / [...] / Manufactured under license by / Loudspeakers (N.Z.) Ltd.". A small transformer has a yellow label, "AUCKLAND TRANSFORMER / [...] / NEWMARKET / [...]". Text marks various components in the interior including a silver cylinder which reads, "DUBLIER / DRILITIC / [...] / MADE IN ENGLAND / [...]". Connected to the rear are two loose electrical wires, one red and one black. A brown cable connects the black power plug, which is two-pronged. Embossed on the plug is "PDL / 250.V / 10A / CAT .45" and "198 / N / Z / 1168 / MADE IN NZ".
The radio is rectangular with the speaker taking up the left-hand side of the front of the radio. On the right-hand side is the display with text, "KILOCYCLES / P / STATION NAMES / [...]". Beneath the display are two dials with "PHILCO" engraved between them. The rear of the radio exposes the mechanics inside. A label on the speaker reads, "MODEL 5B / ROLA / [...] / Manufactured under license by / Loudspeakers (N.Z.) Ltd.". A small transformer has a yellow label, "AUCKLAND TRANSFORMER / [...] / NEWMARKET / [...]". Text marks various components in the interior including a silver cylinder which reads, "DUBLIER / DRILITIC / [...] / MADE IN ENGLAND / [...]". Connected to the rear are two loose electrical wires, one red and one black. A brown cable connects the black power plug, which is two-pronged. Embossed on the plug is "PDL / 250.V / 10A / CAT .45" and "198 / N / Z / 1168 / MADE IN NZ".
Brief History
Philco radios were first manufactured in Philadelphia in 1926, and the manufacturer, Philadelphia Storage Battery Company, soon grew to become the largest manufacturer of radios in America.
Philco brand radios were imported into New Zealand from 1929, initially as complete radios. Import restrictions introduced in 1938 to protect and promote manufacturing in New Zealand limited the importing of complete electrical appliances. In 1939 Dominion Radio & Electrical Corp, commonly known as Dreco, was established and began manufacturing Philco branded radios, including this one, in Auckland.
Philco brand radios were imported into New Zealand from 1929, initially as complete radios. Import restrictions introduced in 1938 to protect and promote manufacturing in New Zealand limited the importing of complete electrical appliances. In 1939 Dominion Radio & Electrical Corp, commonly known as Dreco, was established and began manufacturing Philco branded radios, including this one, in Auckland.
Marks
KILOCYCLES / P / STATION NAMES / [...] Printed
PHILCO Engraved
MODEL 5B / ROLA / [...] / Manufactured under license by / Loudspeakers (N.Z.) Ltd. Label
AUCKLAND TRANSFORMER / [...] / NEWMARKET / [...] Label
DUBLIER / DRILITIC / [...] / MADE IN ENGLAND / [...] Printed
PDL / 250.V / 10A / CAT .45 Embossed
198 / N / Z / 1168 / MADE IN NZ Embossed
PHILCO Engraved
MODEL 5B / ROLA / [...] / Manufactured under license by / Loudspeakers (N.Z.) Ltd. Label
AUCKLAND TRANSFORMER / [...] / NEWMARKET / [...] Label
DUBLIER / DRILITIC / [...] / MADE IN ENGLAND / [...] Printed
PDL / 250.V / 10A / CAT .45 Embossed
198 / N / Z / 1168 / MADE IN NZ Embossed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Dominion Radio and Electric Corporation Limited. 1953. Mantel Radio [Philco 401], 2021.13. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
On display?
On display
Related exhibitions
Public comments
Hi Colin, we hope to be able to display this Philco radio one day, in the meantime we're glad to make it available via Collections Online so that you and others can enjoy seeing it.
- MOTAT Curatorial Research posted one year ago.
nice to see it on display ,thanks to Christen McAlpine and other staff
- Colin Wilkinson posted one year ago.