This is it......the EXTREMELY RARE and HIGHLY COLLECTIBLEPackard Bell AR 851"Gilligan's Island Radio"
These are extremely had to find....especially in this condition....and modified to be just like the one on the television show.This is what I would consider to be the "Holy Grail" for the Gilligan's Island CollectorYou are bidding on a working Packard Bell AR 851 AM radioThis radio has been modified to be just like the one used in the iconic television show Gilligan's IslandI am sure you are well aware of the iconic nature of the show.....but I thought I would give you a little history and just how significant this radio is when it comes to collectability....Gilligan's Island was a television show in the late 1960's...It aired for 3 seasons on the CBS Network from 1964 to 1967The series followed the comic adventures of 7 castaways as they attempted to survive on an island on which they had been shipwreckedMost episodes revolve around the castaways and their unsuccessful attempts to get off the island for whose failure Gilligan was frequently responsibleOver the years the show, its characters have become a cultural icons and have world wide recognitionOne of the most recognizable "props" from the show is THIS RADIO....
The radio used in the show was a Packard Bell AR 851 AM radio exactly like the one you are bidding on...There were actually a couple variations used in the show...a "off white" colored one and a "tan" or "cream" colored one...This is the "tan" or "cream" colored one which is also the one that was featured the most during the show(s)AM radios do NOT need an antenna, but the producers of the show thought it would be better to have one on the radio so they hadthe prop department add an antenna and a small carrying handle to the top of the radio to make it fit the shows useageTHIS RADIO had been modified to match the one used in the show....antenna and handle have been added
This radio has been extensively gone through, checked, cleaned and modified to be just like the radio used on the showFully tested and it works beautifully...sound is clean and will dial in multiple AM channels (watch video to see actual operation)Added antenna is securely mounted and will extend over 4', straight and trueThis radio is in what I would consider to be NEAR MINT conditionMinor signs of wear....all of which I would expect from a radio that was stranded on an island for months.....LOL.....LOLCase shows some minor signs of wear as would be expected from a radio of this era...minor micro scuffs and scratches...
There is a small "cross" scratched into the case on the backside just to the right of the battery door...again...not really noticeable unless you look close (see pics)There is a small, almost round, spot on the back of the radio just above the vent panel that looks like something hot got close and melted a small spot (see pics)(probably an ember from one of the fires that the castaways built...but can not be sure....lol)There are 2 very small hairline cracks along the right edge of the case...you really do not notice them unless you look closely....one at the bottom outer edge of the right side (see pics), and one along top outer edge (see pics)Neither of these are really noticeable and do not affect the functionality or the collectability of this item
The bottom two raised "ridges" that act as feet are all there but they do show signs of wear over the yearsCase is marked in raised relief "8 TRANSISTOR" and "JAPAN" inside the recessed hand hold area on the back of the radio
Both knobs on the front have inserts...Dial area is in exceptional condition..clean, clear and all channel markings are undamagedThe original "red" on the "P" portion of the metal "PB" label to the left of the dial face has faded but is still red in colorOriginal plastic battery sleeves are included (requires 4 "D" cell batteries to operate - they are NOT included)Battery compartment and contacts are corrosion freeThis is it....the iconic Gilligan's Island Radio.....This is THE ITEM that every Gilligan Collector is looking for....DON'T let it get away!
The pictures do a much better job of describing this item than I ever could....please check them out If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me PRIOR to Auction ending.
Pictures are of the ACTUAL ITEM that you are bidding onI took pictures from just about every angle to give you a good ideaof JUST HOW NICE and HOW COLLECTIBLE an item this is!
Standard Shipping is $20.00 to the Continental USThis item IS AVAILABLE for international shippingWinning bidder would pay actual shipping fees to destination country
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