Sparton Model 557 "Sled" Blue-Mirror Radio (1936)
The model 557 was the first of
Sparton's blue-mirror "sled"
designs, introduced in 1936, one
year after the very successful
Bluebird made its debut. A
product of Sparton and the artistic
genius of industrial designer
Walter Dorwin Teague,
newspaper advertising of the day
described the 557 as "a radio of
chrome and crystal.. Mirrored
crystal, rare woods,
streamlined chromium.. A
master radio as outstanding as
its case.. Mellow tone, two
bands with considerable
foreign reception.."
The original purchase price was
around $39.95, about the same
as that of the Bluebird the year
before.
Sparton's blue-mirror "sled"
designs, introduced in 1936, one
year after the very successful
Bluebird made its debut. A
product of Sparton and the artistic
genius of industrial designer
Walter Dorwin Teague,
newspaper advertising of the day
described the 557 as "a radio of
chrome and crystal.. Mirrored
crystal, rare woods,
streamlined chromium.. A
master radio as outstanding as
its case.. Mellow tone, two
bands with considerable
foreign reception.."
The original purchase price was
around $39.95, about the same
as that of the Bluebird the year
before.
...a radio of chrome and crystal
The chassis is an ac-powered
5-tube superhet covering
standard broadcast and
shortwave in two bands. The tube
line-up is:- 6A7 (convertor), 78
(IF), 75 (2nd detector/AVC/1st
AF), 42 (AF output) and 80
(rectifier). The three knobs are,
from left to right, on/off/vol, band
selector and tuning. The chassis
is very similar to that used in the
deluxe model 558 introduced for
the next season. That model
however added a tone control and
switched to the latest octal-based
tubes.
5-tube superhet covering
standard broadcast and
shortwave in two bands. The tube
line-up is:- 6A7 (convertor), 78
(IF), 75 (2nd detector/AVC/1st
AF), 42 (AF output) and 80
(rectifier). The three knobs are,
from left to right, on/off/vol, band
selector and tuning. The chassis
is very similar to that used in the
deluxe model 558 introduced for
the next season. That model
however added a tone control and
switched to the latest octal-based
tubes.
Note that the reference in the advertising to "rare woods" is a bit of salesman's free license, since the cabinet is actually constructed from
rather common plywood. It is however the crystalline finish to which the description applies, achieved through the mixing of naptha into black
lacquer* prior to application to the wood. This finish was used quite often on furniture during the thirties. However, it seems to be prone to
flaking off and is often missing from these models when seen today, though fortunately mine is still in excellent original condition.
rather common plywood. It is however the crystalline finish to which the description applies, achieved through the mixing of naptha into black
lacquer* prior to application to the wood. This finish was used quite often on furniture during the thirties. However, it seems to be prone to
flaking off and is often missing from these models when seen today, though fortunately mine is still in excellent original condition.
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