Silvertone Model 4505 "Election" Ivory Plaskon Table Radio (1937)
The Silvertone Model 4505 is a wonderful example
of 1930's streamlined design in plastic. Its
cabinetry is the work of noted industrial designer
John R. Morgan, as revealed by US design patent
#D100501. Together with its companion model the
4500, in ebony bakelite, these sets were big sellers
for the Sears Roebuck Co. They first appeared in
Sears' 1936 catalog, listed as models 4415 (ivory)
and 4414 (ebony). However from 1937 through
1939 the designations were changed to 4505 and
4500. Hundreds of thousands of these sets were
allegedly sold, with a list price in 1937 of $11.95 for
the ivory version and $9.89 for the ebony.
In October of 1936, this set took first prize as an
object of "outstanding beauty" in the nationwide
Modern Plastics Competition, announced in New
YorK City (see examples of ads below).
The radio was nicknamed the "election" when it first
came out, purportedly because it was advertised
as ideal for use in listening to broadcasts of the
1936 presidential election, held on Nov 3rd and
won overwhelmingly by the incumbent Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
of 1930's streamlined design in plastic. Its
cabinetry is the work of noted industrial designer
John R. Morgan, as revealed by US design patent
#D100501. Together with its companion model the
4500, in ebony bakelite, these sets were big sellers
for the Sears Roebuck Co. They first appeared in
Sears' 1936 catalog, listed as models 4415 (ivory)
and 4414 (ebony). However from 1937 through
1939 the designations were changed to 4505 and
4500. Hundreds of thousands of these sets were
allegedly sold, with a list price in 1937 of $11.95 for
the ivory version and $9.89 for the ebony.
In October of 1936, this set took first prize as an
object of "outstanding beauty" in the nationwide
Modern Plastics Competition, announced in New
YorK City (see examples of ads below).
The radio was nicknamed the "election" when it first
came out, purportedly because it was advertised
as ideal for use in listening to broadcasts of the
1936 presidential election, held on Nov 3rd and
won overwhelmingly by the incumbent Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
The 4505 is a 5-tube ac-powered TRF receiver
covering the standard broadcast band from 540-
1720kc. The tubes used are 2 * 6D6 (1st and 2nd
RF), 6C6 (2nd detector), 43 (af o/p) & IV (rectifier).
The circuit is unusual in that it employs an auto-
transformer both to step down the AC line voltage
to feed the series connected tube filaments and to
step it up to furnish the B+. As a result, the Riders
schematic includes a caution that the set's chassis
is not isolated from the ac line.
covering the standard broadcast band from 540-
1720kc. The tubes used are 2 * 6D6 (1st and 2nd
RF), 6C6 (2nd detector), 43 (af o/p) & IV (rectifier).
The circuit is unusual in that it employs an auto-
transformer both to step down the AC line voltage
to feed the series connected tube filaments and to
step it up to furnish the B+. As a result, the Riders
schematic includes a caution that the set's chassis
is not isolated from the ac line.
...front and back enclosed...beautiful from every angle.
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1937 newspaper ad
