Not currently on display at the V&A

Murphy A3A

Radio
1932 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Vertical, almost square, veneered wooden cabinet with rounded corners and recessed base. On the front, running from top to bottom, is a wide central cut-away band, edged with wood, containing the loudspeaker, tuning scale and control knobs. The top of the cutaway section contains a rectangular loudspeaker aperture. The aperture sits behind a grille of nine squares, formed of wooden vertical bands and black plastic horizontal bands. Immediately below the loudspeaker is is a narrow, recessed horizontal, angled black metal band, containing on the left a small tuning scale window. Beneath this panel is a wide horizontal wooden band with rounded edges, and below this is another recessed black metal horizontal panel on which are mounted three control knobs in line. The two outer knobs are disc-shaped, are of black plastic and have a small exposed bolt heads in their centres. The central knob is very small, circular, and is also made from black plastic with a bolt at its centre. Below this panel is a wooden horizontal band, with is flush with the base of the cabinet.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMurphy A3A (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Walnut-veneered plywood, plastics
Brief description
Radio, Murphy A3A, designed by R.D. Russell, 1932
Physical description
Vertical, almost square, veneered wooden cabinet with rounded corners and recessed base. On the front, running from top to bottom, is a wide central cut-away band, edged with wood, containing the loudspeaker, tuning scale and control knobs. The top of the cutaway section contains a rectangular loudspeaker aperture. The aperture sits behind a grille of nine squares, formed of wooden vertical bands and black plastic horizontal bands. Immediately below the loudspeaker is is a narrow, recessed horizontal, angled black metal band, containing on the left a small tuning scale window. Beneath this panel is a wide horizontal wooden band with rounded edges, and below this is another recessed black metal horizontal panel on which are mounted three control knobs in line. The two outer knobs are disc-shaped, are of black plastic and have a small exposed bolt heads in their centres. The central knob is very small, circular, and is also made from black plastic with a bolt at its centre. Below this panel is a wooden horizontal band, with is flush with the base of the cabinet.
Dimensions
  • Height: 47.5cm
  • Width: 45.2cm
  • Depth: 26.5cm
Measurements taken from paper records - not checked on object.
Production typeMass produced
Object history
Purchased by the Circulation Department from Rupert's of Ealing, in 1977 [77/1001]. On entry to the Museum its condition was noted as 'good'.
Bibliographic reference
Hogben, Carol, The Wireless Show!: 130 classic radio receivers, 1920s to 1950s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1977
Other number
10882 - serial number
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.10-1977

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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