In my ongoing quest to thin out my collection, I am or will be posting on Ebay a number of 1920’s battery sets, early crystal sets, and radio accessories that I picked up over the decades in here in northern New England, and that I never got around to restoring or even testing. This one is a 1924 Crosley model 51, a 2-tube regenerative receiver from the dawn of the radio age, one of the earliest sets Crosley ever produced. Crosley made and sold a lot of these – the company built its foundation on this set – but most were housed in a little wooden box; for a sizeable premium, though, you could get this version, considered by many to be the very first portable radio. And that’s what we have here.

 

These are quite scarce, and, when they do turn up, are almost always in pretty rough shape, since people lugged them around for years. This example, though, as you can see, is quite nice and very clean, and even comes with two elements that are almost never seen: the leather carrying handle (which, is you can see in the last photo, is split, but complete and easily restorable), and the original warranty card, which apparently was never mailed in. It also has a hand-drawn schematic, made, I assume, by the original owner nearly a century ago. It’s quite a package! The radio itself is roughly the same size as a Zenith Transoceanic, measuring 12.5”w x 12.5”h x 8”d. I have enjoyed displaying it for many years (it’s a real conversation piece) and had hoped to test and restore it to working condition, but now I’m running out of space, so it’s time to pass it along to another collector who can restore it or simply enjoy it as-is, as I have. I’m If you’ve been looking for one of these in nice, original and unmolested condition – not to mention with those vanishingly rare extras -- this is your lucky day; you won’t find another one like it.  I offer it here with NO RESERVE – high bidder takes it!

 

I will ship this item ONLY within the United States. If you live elsewhere and are interested in it, please contact me BEFORE bidding so we can discuss the shipping charges, which can be very expensive outside the U.S. I ship once a week (whenever possible). Having received, over the years, some items that did not survive shipping, I always take care to pack very carefully. If you prefer, I will be happy to drop it off at a nearby UPS store and have it professionally packed and shipped at your expense. I reserve the right to raise or lower the shipping charges should they prove to be significantly different than those determined by the shipping calculator. I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone with excessive negative feedback or an otherwise suspicious history. Payment is due within three (3) days of the auction's close. Due to its age I am selling this item without any warranty. All sales are final. I am not a dealer, and don’t have a big operation with a staff, so I would appreciate your patience while I take the time to pack your items with the care they deserve.

 

Be sure to see all the pictures! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but please try to ask as early as possible, as it sometimes takes me a while to get to my email. Please see my other listings, as I am running out of space and am thinning out my collection considerably. I have several fine items up on Ebay right now, and will be listing many more in the weeks and months to come, so please keep checking. Good luck and happy bidding!