Description
Like the map shown here, a 1935 print advertisement in Good Housekeeping magazine also presented the “New 1936 Philco” as a luxury item. Beneath the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, an illustration of an elegantly dressed man and women in evening gowns, and a photograph of one of the deluxe models in a handsome wood cabinet, priced at $175 — over $3,000 in today’s dollars — the text reads:
Reception more perfect than you ever dreamed possible! Programs from Europe — Africa — South America — Australia — and here in America — gloriously reproduced with naturalness and beauty! […]
You’ll roam the world at will with this Philco. You’ll capture the romance and thrill of travel. For the 116X covers every broadcast service on the air — Foreign Programs the world over — all American Broadcasts — U.S. Government Weather Forecasts — all Police Calls, Amateur, Aircraft and Ship Stations! […]
The 116X cabinet is truly a symphony in choice woods! Exquisitely figured Burl Walnut. Handsome curved panels. Delicate inlays. Rich, hand-rubbed finish. A masterpiece of furniture craftsmanship! […]
Philco began as the Helios Electric Company in 1892, manufacturing lamps. In 1906, it became the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company, producing batteries for electric vehicles, and in 1919, the name was shortened to Philco. In 1926, the company started producing radios. The company was acquired by Ford in 1961. Twenty years later it was purchased by Philips, which still produces items under the Philco brand.
References:
“Philco.” Wikipedia. 17 May 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philco (22 May 2014).
“Supreme Radio Enjoyment…yours in the New 1936 Philco.” Photobucket.com. 2014. http://media.photobucket.com/user/gazamon/media/Good%20Housekeeping/Aug1935/1936PhilcoRadioad.jpg.html (22 May 2014).
