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Philco Model 16X (16) Console Radio (June 1934)
..a radio of great refinement and beauty.
This large and impressive console was the third incarnation of
Philco's model 16X. Introduced for the 1935 model season in
June of 1934, it replaced the short-lived second version, which
had debuted just a few months earlier. The new 16X initially
used the same 5-band chassis as the earlier ones, but in the
fall it switched over to using Philco's new and improved 4-band
chassis; the list price was $175 for both. Philcoradio.com re-
ports that this set went on to become the best selling of all the
model 16 consoles, attaining sales of some 23,475 units. In
spite of this relatively large production number however, surp-
risingly few of these sets ever seem to show up today.
Philco mid-1934 sales literature lists the features of this set as:
Philco's model 16X. Introduced for the 1935 model season in
June of 1934, it replaced the short-lived second version, which
had debuted just a few months earlier. The new 16X initially
used the same 5-band chassis as the earlier ones, but in the
fall it switched over to using Philco's new and improved 4-band
chassis; the list price was $175 for both. Philcoradio.com re-
ports that this set went on to become the best selling of all the
model 16 consoles, attaining sales of some 23,475 units. In
spite of this relatively large production number however, surp-
risingly few of these sets ever seem to show up today.
Philco mid-1934 sales literature lists the features of this set as:
| Tuning Range, 540 to 23,000 kilocycles Five Tuning Bands Receives all standard American broadcasts, police, aircraft and amateur stations and all American and foreign shortwave stations Inter-Station Noise Suppression PHILCO Inclined Sounding Board Echo-Absorbing Screen Super "Class A" Audio System 15 Watts Audio Output Auditorioum Type PHILCO Electro-Dynamic Speaker Bass Compensation Four-Point Tone Control PHILCO Simplified Tuning Automatic Volume Control PHILCO Shadow Tuning Station Recording Dial Wave Band Selector with Automatic Scale Indicator Dual Ratio Tuning Full Rubber Floated Chassis 11 PHILCO High-Efficiency Tubes |
| "Superbly fashioned from two-toned Walnut and handsomely high-lighted by Grecian type mouldings and delicate marquetry, this brilliant new cabinet is certain to find a host of admirers. All who love fine furniture will recognize in this model cabinet-making skill far above the ordinary. Curved side panels of choicely grained Walnut, fluted columns* in front of the inclined Sounding Board and jet black inlay trimming make this 16X a radio of great refinement and beauty" |
..a PARADE of NATIONS in your home.
| Mid-Life Production Changes |
In the fall of 1934 the 16X was upgraded to use a new, 4-band
type 16 chassis. This probably occurred coincident with the
introduction of the second version of the 16B tombstone. In
the summer of 1934 promotional literature for the 16X, such
as that quoted from above, refers to it as a 5-band set, like
mine. However by the fall, advertising was describing it as
being a four band receiver. I found some web photos showing
the four-band radio, complete with the alternate knob set that
was used with the new chassis (here and here). Refer to my
16B pages for a comparison of the two different chassis types
(here). Also see the ads below to the right.
type 16 chassis. This probably occurred coincident with the
introduction of the second version of the 16B tombstone. In
the summer of 1934 promotional literature for the 16X, such
as that quoted from above, refers to it as a 5-band set, like
mine. However by the fall, advertising was describing it as
being a four band receiver. I found some web photos showing
the four-band radio, complete with the alternate knob set that
was used with the new chassis (here and here). Refer to my
16B pages for a comparison of the two different chassis types
(here). Also see the ads below to the right.
| Philco's 5-Millionth Radio |
For eleven weeks at the end of 1934 Philco celebrated the
production of their 5 millionth radio, a 4-band version of the 5-
band 16X shown on this page. In conjunction with their distri-
butors and retailers, they mounted a massive advertising cam-
paign, offering "greater values, easier terms and more liberal
trade-in allowances than ever before". Promotional events
were held in stores, where in addition to Philco radios, special
furniture ensemble packages, centered around a Philco radio,
were offered for sale at attractive discounts.
One special event took place at the Franks furniture store in
Wellington, Texas, on Dec 22nd. At the formal re-opening of
the store following extensive re-modelling, Mrs J. M. Hurst was
awarded first prize, a 16X radio, for her entry in a letter writing
competition sponsored by Philco for the Panhandle of Texas
and Oklahoma. Her entry, entitled "Why I would like to own
the 5 millionth Philco", was read aloud at the event:-
production of their 5 millionth radio, a 4-band version of the 5-
band 16X shown on this page. In conjunction with their distri-
butors and retailers, they mounted a massive advertising cam-
paign, offering "greater values, easier terms and more liberal
trade-in allowances than ever before". Promotional events
were held in stores, where in addition to Philco radios, special
furniture ensemble packages, centered around a Philco radio,
were offered for sale at attractive discounts.
One special event took place at the Franks furniture store in
Wellington, Texas, on Dec 22nd. At the formal re-opening of
the store following extensive re-modelling, Mrs J. M. Hurst was
awarded first prize, a 16X radio, for her entry in a letter writing
competition sponsored by Philco for the Panhandle of Texas
and Oklahoma. Her entry, entitled "Why I would like to own
the 5 millionth Philco", was read aloud at the event:-
| "The model 16X, the 5-millionth Philco radio, renders true radio entertainment in all its splendor. The beautiful and scientifically designed cabinet with its inclined speaker and baffle, not only gives truer tone, but is an exquisite piece of furniture of which anyone may be truly proud. The balanced mechanism ensures sharper tuning. The tone control gives the listener a wide variety of tonal quality to please his individual liking, while the automatic volume control prevents fading and distortion. Its wide range of reception is an outstanding reason why I would like to own the 16X Philco" |
For more coverage of the Philco 5-millionth set celebrations, see also my 45L and 45C pages.
See also my Antique Radio Classified article entitled "Philco Milestone Celebrations", cited in
the bibliography below. An example of a Philco furniture ensemble package may be seen here.
For technical details on the 16X, see my other Philco model 16 pages:- 16B, 16L, 16B, 16X,
16RX and 16B.
Bibliography:
"Philco Milestone Celebrations", Antique Radio Classified, November 2008, pp 12-15 (web edition here)
"Franks to Award radio Saturday", The Wellington Leader, December 20th 1934, Wellington, Texas, pg 1 & 12
See also my Antique Radio Classified article entitled "Philco Milestone Celebrations", cited in
the bibliography below. An example of a Philco furniture ensemble package may be seen here.
For technical details on the 16X, see my other Philco model 16 pages:- 16B, 16L, 16B, 16X,
16RX and 16B.
Bibliography:
"Philco Milestone Celebrations", Antique Radio Classified, November 2008, pp 12-15 (web edition here)
"Franks to Award radio Saturday", The Wellington Leader, December 20th 1934, Wellington, Texas, pg 1 & 12
5-band early chassis
My set uses the early 5-band model 16 chassis & knobs.
*The reference to "fluted columns" in this snippet, quoted from a Philco dealers advertising booklet for this exact model, is confusing, as the columns in
front of the loudspeaker sounding board are not grooved. Perhaps the writers of the piece were thinking of the earlier set, which certainly did have fluted
columns.
front of the loudspeaker sounding board are not grooved. Perhaps the writers of the piece were thinking of the earlier set, which certainly did have fluted
columns.
*see footnote
PHILCO MODEL 16 SERIES