Philco Model 20 "Baby Grand" Cathedral Radio (1930)
The Philco model 20 Baby Grand was introduced in August of
1930 and it became an overnight success for the company. It
integrated an electro-dynamic speaker and an all-electric
7-tube screen grid chassis into a compact table-top cabinet, all
for the price of $49.50 less tubes ($68 with - see below). Its
unique combination of price, looks and performance was just
what the public was looking for, and with Philco's excellent
distribution network, it was a classic case of a product being in
the right place at the right time. It was extensively advertised by
Philco and in excess of 300,000 units were sold, catapulting
Philco to the number one spot in the industry, where they would
remain for at least the next decade.
In their advertising, Philco went to lengths to point out that the
Baby Grand had "nothing but size in common with the other
so-called midget sets". They referred to it as that "big performing
little radio" and also as "the greatest little name in radio", all
presumably in an effort to convey the impression of small size
but of BIG sound - just like that of the traditional consoles that
the public was familiar with. They further went on:-
1930 and it became an overnight success for the company. It
integrated an electro-dynamic speaker and an all-electric
7-tube screen grid chassis into a compact table-top cabinet, all
for the price of $49.50 less tubes ($68 with - see below). Its
unique combination of price, looks and performance was just
what the public was looking for, and with Philco's excellent
distribution network, it was a classic case of a product being in
the right place at the right time. It was extensively advertised by
Philco and in excess of 300,000 units were sold, catapulting
Philco to the number one spot in the industry, where they would
remain for at least the next decade.
In their advertising, Philco went to lengths to point out that the
Baby Grand had "nothing but size in common with the other
so-called midget sets". They referred to it as that "big performing
little radio" and also as "the greatest little name in radio", all
presumably in an effort to convey the impression of small size
but of BIG sound - just like that of the traditional consoles that
the public was familiar with. They further went on:-
Philco Baby Grand...that big performing little radio.
In January of 1931, Philco "spiffed" up the cabinet of the model 20, introducing what has now
become known as the Philco model 20 Deluxe.
The model 20 Baby Grand uses an ac-powered 7-tube screen-grid TRF chassis featuring push-
pull audio output. Frequency coverage is standard broadcast from 550-1500kc. The tube line-up is
24*2 (two stages of screen-grid RF amplification), 24 (2nd detector), 27 (1st AF), 71A*2 (push-pull
audio output) and 80 (rectifier). In spite of Philco having introduced automatic-volume control into
some of its sets the previous season, this set does not incorporate it. The schematic can be found
here courtesy of NostalgiaAir. See rear (chassis) view here.
The radio photographed has a reproduction grille cloth obtained from grillecloth.com.
become known as the Philco model 20 Deluxe.
The model 20 Baby Grand uses an ac-powered 7-tube screen-grid TRF chassis featuring push-
pull audio output. Frequency coverage is standard broadcast from 550-1500kc. The tube line-up is
24*2 (two stages of screen-grid RF amplification), 24 (2nd detector), 27 (1st AF), 71A*2 (push-pull
audio output) and 80 (rectifier). In spite of Philco having introduced automatic-volume control into
some of its sets the previous season, this set does not incorporate it. The schematic can be found
here courtesy of NostalgiaAir. See rear (chassis) view here.
The radio photographed has a reproduction grille cloth obtained from grillecloth.com.
| "Use it as an extra radio set or as a portable... With the radio fans dancing in the parlor, how wonderful to have a Baby Grand upstairs for mother. For that boy or girl at college, Baby Grand steps in with great performance at a price that will hardly make a father flinch. For the spare bedroom, for the boudoir, the den, the summer cottage and as a gift supreme for all occasions, the Philco Baby Grand fills a long-felt want. Philco Baby Grand is an all-electric portable - can be carried from room to room and attached to any AC socket" |
|
To the right is a newspaper clipping from late in 1930, showing the pricing for Philco tubes as used
in the model 20 Baby Grand. The total for 2*71A, 3*24, 1*80 and 1*27 is $18.50. Quite a princely
sum for 1930!
in the model 20 Baby Grand. The total for 2*71A, 3*24, 1*80 and 1*27 is $18.50. Quite a princely
sum for 1930!
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