PINK CHRYSANTHEMUM Mid Century Retro Vintage 1955 Sylvania R598-10895 Tube AM Clock Alarm Radio Upscale and Almost Mint!
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 13" x 6" x 7" (l x w x h)
COLOR: Carnation or chrysanthemum pink
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DESCRIPTION: Sometime in the early 50s, the top brass at Sylvania told the designers to come up with a high end clock radio. They were going head to head against the likes of GE 500 series, RCA 4-Cs, 6-XFs, Zenith Owl Eyes, and Motorola. Sylvania came up with this large boxy design which featured a huge recessed grill area and impossible to reach tiny little clock knobs. This particular piece is exemplary because of its very forward looking tiki-esque grill treatment that pays homage to artists like Calder and Pollack of the period. It is far ahead of its time visually and has since become ubiquitous and instantly identifiable with everything that is 50s retro and kitsch. Tabletop tube AM clock radio alarm manufactured by Sylvania in 1955 timeframe in excellent+ almost pristine condition. Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment. Cabinet is in excellent condition with no cracks, splits, or missing plastic. No cracks on top (Amazing!) and still very glossy! Original factory molded color. No repaints none needed. Factory painted grill is to die for! This radio is over 50 years old! No dial light not designed with one. The electro-luminescent clock panel is unique to Sylvania and stopped glowing many years ago. The volume and tuning knobs on the front and side are both present. The tuning knob is secure and doesn't slip. These side mounted plastic tuning knobs usually get stripped or cracked over the years due to some over-zealous tuning. The knobs are in excellent condition. The metal insert caps in the tuning knobs are present. These often go missing over the years. They are so deeply recessed and close to the top edge and pot metal clock trim that you almost need little child-like fingers to work them. So, it is rare that all 3 of these clock knobs are not missing. The clock is behind a thick piece of real glass. A few of the clock numbering reliefs have flaked off. The gold trim surround and is in very good condition with slight yellowing and tarnish. No rust or pitting.The tuning dial works fine and smooth no slipping. All paper and wax capacitors have been replaced with modern equivalents so this radio has another 50+ years or more of playing time! The clock works and keep accurate time for a mechanical analog design. The alarm works. The clock and alarm set function work. There is a appliance timer function in back. The tubes are working fine. All out-of-spec resistors have been replaced with modern correct value and voltage equivalents. There is no loud or pervasive hum. There is no loud or pervasive static between stations unless you operate near modern megahertz devices. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. Backing board is in fair condition with crisp square corners. The right side of the backing board broke off at some point and was re-glued. The power cord and plug are good original working condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. Comes from non-smoking, mature, clean professional environment no pets. This thing belongs in a museum!