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EKCO AC85

Radio
1934-1935 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
EKCO (manufacturer)
Coates, Wells OBE (designer)
Place of origin
Southend-on-Sea (manufactured)

Mains superhet radio receiver, the cabinet is made from brown, faux-woodgrain Bakelite. Rectangular-shaped with curved edges, there are two integrally-moulded 'skids' running from front to back. The front face has two equal circles, the left containing the loudspeaker behind a fabric grille and three vertical bars; on the right, the upper-half contains the tuning scale for long and medium wave. In the centre of the right-hand circle is a large tuning knob, there are three more control knobs below this around the lower edge. The ground of both circles is simulated shagreen.

Object details

Categories
Audio Equipment
Product Design
Entertainment & Leisure
Plastic
Object type
Radio
TitleEKCO AC85 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Compression-moulded Bakelite, other plastics
Bakelite
Phenolic
Compression Moulding
Brief description
Radio, model AC85; design attributed to Wells Coates; E.K. Cole Ltd., Southend, 1934-35
Physical description
Mains superhet radio receiver, the cabinet is made from brown, faux-woodgrain Bakelite. Rectangular-shaped with curved edges, there are two integrally-moulded 'skids' running from front to back. The front face has two equal circles, the left containing the loudspeaker behind a fabric grille and three vertical bars; on the right, the upper-half contains the tuning scale for long and medium wave. In the centre of the right-hand circle is a large tuning knob, there are three more control knobs below this around the lower edge. The ground of both circles is simulated shagreen.
Dimensions
  • Width: 52.5cm
  • Height: 32.2cm
  • Depth: 26.6cm
Measurements taken from paper records - not checked on object.
Production typeMass produced
Object history
Purchased by the Circulation Department in 1976, from Patrick Cook [76/709]. On entry to the Musuem it was noted 'Bakelite badly scratched, front grille stained'.

Bibliographic reference
Hogben, Carol, The Wireless Show!: 130 classic radio receivers, 1920s to 1950s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1977
Other numbers
  • 525765 - serial number
  • 393081 - patent number
  • 791424 - Registered Design number
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
CIRC.280-1976

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O372025/ekco-ac85-radio-coates-wells-obe/
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