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Not currently on display at the V&A

R200

Radio
1960-1964 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Founded in 1932 by good friends Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead, Roberts Radio began handcrafting portable radios, initially producing just three radios a week.

This set was first introduced in February 1960 and cost around £14, the equivalent of approximately £180 today. It was designed to operate from a single 9V battery and had a 2-band portable portable receiver fitted with six transisters.

Astute marketeers, Roberts produced a one-off R200 radio with a solid gold case in 1961 which appeared in newspapers all over the world and British politician, Lord Boothby was photographed holding the radio at the 1961 Radio Show. The radio received worldwide publicity when it was stolen from a department store.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleR200 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Electrical components and leatherette
Brief description
Radio, Model R200, Roberts Radio, 1960-1964, England.
Physical description
A portable radio covered in brown leatherette. Three dials to the top of the radio with a handle stretching the width of the radio. The speaker is at the front of the radio.
Dimensions
  • Width: 220mm (Note: Source: Radio Museum, https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_r200_r_200.html)
  • Height: 140mm (Note: Source: Radio Museum, https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_r200_r_200.html)
  • Depth: 100mm (Note: Source: Radio Museum, https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/roberts_r200_r_200.html)
Credit line
Given by Mrs B.C. Whiteley
Subjects depicted
Summary
Founded in 1932 by good friends Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead, Roberts Radio began handcrafting portable radios, initially producing just three radios a week.

This set was first introduced in February 1960 and cost around £14, the equivalent of approximately £180 today. It was designed to operate from a single 9V battery and had a 2-band portable portable receiver fitted with six transisters.

Astute marketeers, Roberts produced a one-off R200 radio with a solid gold case in 1961 which appeared in newspapers all over the world and British politician, Lord Boothby was photographed holding the radio at the 1961 Radio Show. The radio received worldwide publicity when it was stolen from a department store.
Collection
Accession number
W.21-2003

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Record createdJuly 20, 2004
Record URL
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