 Plastic Radios Become Classic Antiques
by
Wayne Mattox
One day, as he describes in
pioneer book, Classic Plastic Radios of the 1930's and
1940's, John Sideli began
changing. Like a character from a Harry Potter book, he went
from respected dealer in the traditional lines of American folk
art and furniture into a purveyor of strange, queer objects
withlittle antique tradition at all: plastic
radios. 
The seeds were
planted by a Fada Model 115 his grandmother kept on her
kitchen table. Although its futuristic shape, vibrant
maroon and yellow colors and oily smell were locked away
in John's memory for years, those recollections caused
his attention to be drawn to similar radios. Gradually,
foggy memories took shape; long quiet afternoons spent
sitting at the red-and-white enameled kitchen table.
Staring up. The talking box was like a spring violet
sprouting through an asphalt crack. It lit up, glowing
and producing indecipherable compositions in Italian. "I
vowed to find one just like it," John said. For $20 bucks
in a New York City antique shop the duplicate was quickly
landed and a new collection had commenced. By the fall of
1983, Sideli had bought and sold more than two-dozen
radios and assembled a wonderful collection of thirty
prize examples he displayed upstairs. "Out of the view of
his "legit" dealer friends," as he put it. "I was still a
bit embarrassed about my new passion." The embarrassment
ended when John discovered his folk art and
furniture-dealing associates shared his
enthusiasm.
"For me,"
John said, "the radios were like warm and wonderful
blocks of color in an infinite variety of shapes to be
played with and put together in various combinations. It
was incidental that they were radios. It was the material
I was in love with-fabulous colored boxes in Deco and
Moderne designs."
The first thing you
should know about valuable Bakelite radios is that they
are not made of Bakelite. This is a common misnomer. They
are Catalin. Bakelite is relatively dull-colored molding
plastic commonly encountered in early humdrum radios.
Usually found in uninspired cases of brown, black or
white, they seldom retail for more than $50. Catalin is a
durable translucent plastic casting resin that, after the
final production stage of polishing, lends itself to
vibrant multihued coloring in combinations of chalk
white, emerald, teal blue, neon orange, tomato red and
other colors with marbleizing. Catalin began making
appearances in radio cabinets around 1935. They are
valued according to: vibrancy rarity and contrast of
color, unabashedly modernistic design of the case,
excellent condition with the original box being a plus
and overall rarity and interest in the model and maker.
Prominent manufacturers include: Addison, Air King,
Arvin, Automatic Radio Mfg. Co., Bendix, Crosley,
Detrola, Dewald, Emerson, Espy, Fada, Garod, General
Electric, Halston, Kadette, Lafayette, Motorola, N. M
Company, RCA, Sentinel, Sonora, Sparton, Stewart Warner,
and Symphony. Prices in mint condition range from $25,000
for a Symphony Model 1939 "Split Grille" in marbled
yellow with bright green grill, handles, and knobs to
$600 for a yellow 1946/47 FADA Model 700 with white trim.
Because they were commonly discarded, Catalin radios are
rarely found today.
Getting Back to
John's story: He finally brought his radios downstairs.
He exhibited and sold his entire collection at Stanford
Smith's New York Fall Antique show in 1983. The booth
would be one of the most talked-of and photographed in
the prestigious show's history. Catalin radios made news
in The Daily News, The New York Times, The Village Voice,
and Metropolitan Home Magazine. A year later, Sideli
would help to organize an entire sale exhibition
dedicated to his passion-The American Radio Show. He
would author a popular book on the subject. Catalin would
go on to become one of the most coveted and popular lines
of American antiques.
Perhaps that is why
Sideli abandoned his specialty. He's back in American
Folk Art again. However, I would advise you to be
cautious. All is not safe yet. If you see a charismatic
man of about 50 years of age, balding, of medium height,
with a sparkle in his eyes, and he is eyeing your kitchen
faucet; or admiring your chrome toaster; or something
else that one-day might be deemed as art. Refuse his
$20.
byAntiqueTalk.com
Reprinted
with permission
Copyright by Wayne Mattox
©
| 
