Not currently on display at the V&A

Westminster P.W.R. 2/1

Radio
1946-1948 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mains radio receiver. A horizontal rectangular table model, made from compression-moulded brown Bakelite with a simulated wood grain. All its corners are rounded. The speaker grille is located on the proper right of the set, it is composed of seven thick horizontal ridges with flat faces and very narrow grooves in between. The bottom of each ridge is flat, the top of each is depressed in the centre into a shallow arc. Below the speaker are three round control knobs with fluted edges. There is a fourth control knob on the same line, toward the proper left, beneath a recessed angular tuning scale. This scale is faced with glass and printed in red, white and green for LW, MW and SW, with the Westminster insignia of Big Ben in the centre. A 'magic eye' tuer is at the top of the scale. The set stands on two integrally-moulded ridges, running from front to rear.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWestminster P.W.R. 2/1 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Compression-moulded Bakelite, glass
Brief description
British, c.1946-48, man. Westminster Mains Radio for Currys Ltd., model PWR 21, moulded brown bakelite
Physical description
Mains radio receiver. A horizontal rectangular table model, made from compression-moulded brown Bakelite with a simulated wood grain. All its corners are rounded. The speaker grille is located on the proper right of the set, it is composed of seven thick horizontal ridges with flat faces and very narrow grooves in between. The bottom of each ridge is flat, the top of each is depressed in the centre into a shallow arc. Below the speaker are three round control knobs with fluted edges. There is a fourth control knob on the same line, toward the proper left, beneath a recessed angular tuning scale. This scale is faced with glass and printed in red, white and green for LW, MW and SW, with the Westminster insignia of Big Ben in the centre. A 'magic eye' tuer is at the top of the scale. The set stands on two integrally-moulded ridges, running from front to rear.
Dimensions
  • Width: 50cm
  • Height: 30.5cm
  • Depth: 27cm
Measurements taken from paper records - not checked on object.
Production typeMass produced
Object history
Purchased in 1974 by the Circulation Department, from Gustav Metzger [74/1755]. On entry to the Museum the condition of this set was noted as 'good, some slight rub marks'.
Historical context
A similar set is shown in the Curry's 1949 catalogue with a price of £16 8s 6d.
Association
Bibliographic reference
Hogben, Carol, The Wireless Show!: 130 classic radio receivers, 1920s to 1950s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1977
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.514-1974

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON