Murphy A46
Wireless
1938 (made)
1938 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Murphy Radio was founded in 1929 by Frank Murphy and E.J. Power with a factory in Welwyn Garden City and a manufacturing facility in Islandbridge, Dublin, Ireland. The company went on to design and build sets for British Forces' use, and after World War II, for the Navy, principally the 'B40' series.
The '46' Table Model offered cost £9.15 in 1938, the equivalent of around £478 today. Marketed as a 'moderate price' model, despite its significant price tag, it featured the names of over 50 of the principal short, medium and long wave stations on its three-colour scale. Its design included a rounded, tapering cabinet and a pill-shaped loudspeaker aperture has a narrow white surround and the set is veneered with contrasting French walnut and black walnut.
The '46' Table Model offered cost £9.15 in 1938, the equivalent of around £478 today. Marketed as a 'moderate price' model, despite its significant price tag, it featured the names of over 50 of the principal short, medium and long wave stations on its three-colour scale. Its design included a rounded, tapering cabinet and a pill-shaped loudspeaker aperture has a narrow white surround and the set is veneered with contrasting French walnut and black walnut.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Murphy A46 (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Plywood, veneered with French walnut and black walnut, plastics |
| Brief description | Wireless, Model A46 designed by R. D. Russell and manufactured by Murphy Radio, plywood, veneer and plastic, 1938 |
| Physical description | Radio receiver in the form of a rounded, tapering cabinet. iVeneered with contrasting French walnut and black walnut. The pill-shaped loudspeaker aperture has a narrow white surround. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Object history | Purchased in 1978 from A.M. Peverett [77/1918]. |
| Historical context | Brand new, in 1938, this set would have cost £9 10s. |
| Summary | Murphy Radio was founded in 1929 by Frank Murphy and E.J. Power with a factory in Welwyn Garden City and a manufacturing facility in Islandbridge, Dublin, Ireland. The company went on to design and build sets for British Forces' use, and after World War II, for the Navy, principally the 'B40' series. The '46' Table Model offered cost £9.15 in 1938, the equivalent of around £478 today. Marketed as a 'moderate price' model, despite its significant price tag, it featured the names of over 50 of the principal short, medium and long wave stations on its three-colour scale. Its design included a rounded, tapering cabinet and a pill-shaped loudspeaker aperture has a narrow white surround and the set is veneered with contrasting French walnut and black walnut. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hogben, Carol, The Wireless Show!: 130 classic radio receivers, 1920s to 1950s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1977 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.16-1978 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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