AIR KING SKYSCRAPER Walnut Clock ART DECO 1933 Bakelite Radio
The Air King “Skyscraper” Model 66 radio with the “Clock” insert is a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book “Classic Plastic Radios of the 30’s and 40’s” called it “one of the most important plastic radios ever made”. This brown or walnut marbleized plaskon Air King Model 66 was designed by Harold Van Doren & John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of Brooklyn, New York in 1933. This early model molded of Plaskon or Bakelite (an early plastic), has the Clock insert on its waterfall facade. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare and desirable. This example has no cracks, chips, nicks, dings, deep scratches, repairs, or tube burns. It has been hand polished and gleams! Electronically it is restored as shown in the pictures, both the radio and the clock work currently, although there is no guarantee of future operation. Should you wish to play this on any regular basis, I recommend you have it serviced in your area. Radio is original and in fabulous condition with only small scratches consistent with age and use. The clock insert is factory original and convex glass covering with metal escutcheon is original without damage. The three brown bakelite hexagonal knobs and large Air King tuning knob along with the two top bars are original to the radio and without damage. Radio retains the factory original grill cloth and cardboard bottom panel. This model appears to possibly have been a model for export as the tuning dial attached to the big AK knob has a metal printed dial disc, not the usual laminated dial scale. Also, the speaker plugs into the chassis, it is not directly wired as most or all that I have seen are. Please see all pictures. The radio measures approximately: 11 3/4″ High by 8 3/4″ Wide by 6 3/4 Deep. If you are looking for one of the most sought after collectibles from before the second World War, this is the perfect addition to your collection or art deco display. PLEASE VIEW MY OTHER AUCTIONS THAT INCLUDE 3 BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED ZENITH CONSOLE RADIOS, A 9, 12, AND A 15 TUBE MODEL. I also have listed 4 catalin radios including a Fada Streamliner Bullet, two Emerson tombstones from 1937, one Alabaster and the other is Brazilian onyx GREEN. A killer blue/green Bendix catalin with superb marbleization. The item “AIR KING SKYSCRAPER Walnut Clock ART DECO 1933 Bakelite Radio” is in sale since Monday, November 21, 2016. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone\Radios\Tube Radios\1930-49″. The seller is “gci2011″ and is located in New York, New York. This item can be shipped worldwide.