Not on display

Kolster-Brandes model FB10C

Radio
1946-1950 (made)
Artist/Maker
Kolster-Brandes Ltd (manufacturers)
Griffin, Lawrence (designers)
Place of origin
Foots Cray (manufactured)

Mains portable 'toaster'-shaped radio set with rounded corners, made from Bakelite, spray-painted cream. There is an integral handle to the top-rear. On top of the set is a rectangular glass tuning scale with medium and long wavebands. The controls are recessed on the bottom edge. The loudspeaker is behind three Bakelite 'bars', with a fabric-covered ventilation grille at the rear.

Object details

Categories
Household Objects
Entertainment & Leisure
Plastic
Audio Equipment
Product Design
Object type
Radio
Titles
  • Kolster-Brandes model FB10C (manufacturer's title)
  • 'Magical Midget' (manufacturer's title)
  • 'Toaster' radio (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Phenol-formaldehyde ('Bakelite'), compression-moulded and spray-painted; woven fabric; glass
Bakelite
Phenolic
Glass
Compression-Moulding
Spray-Painting
Brief description
Model FB10 'Magical Midget' ('Toaster') radio; Lawrence Griffin for Kolster-Brandes Ltd.; Foots Cray; 1946-50
Physical description
Mains portable 'toaster'-shaped radio set with rounded corners, made from Bakelite, spray-painted cream. There is an integral handle to the top-rear. On top of the set is a rectangular glass tuning scale with medium and long wavebands. The controls are recessed on the bottom edge. The loudspeaker is behind three Bakelite 'bars', with a fabric-covered ventilation grille at the rear.
Dimensions
  • Length: 25cm
  • Height: 17cm
  • Depth: 16.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(pre October 2000)
PORTABLE RADIO SET (Model FB10C)
About 1950
Designed by Lawrence Griffin
Manufactured by Kolster Brandes Ltd., Kent, England
Moulded Bakelite plastic with glass tuning scale

This was the first British radio to go over the one million sales mark. It was intended as a cheap, second, household radio.
Object history
Purchased in 1976 from Gustav Metzger [76/444]. On entry to the Museum the condition of this radio was noted: 'surface rubbed. Left control knob cracked'
Bibliographic references
  • p.98 Hawes, Robert and Sassower, Gad. Bakelite Radios (Edison, New Jersey, 1996)
  • p.121 Hawes, Robert, Radio Art (London, 1991)
  • Hogben, Carol, The Wireless Show!: 130 classic radio receivers, 1920s to 1950s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1977
Other number
84846 - serial number
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
CIRC.293-1976

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Record createdJanuary 25, 2001
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O53095/kolster-brandes-model-fb10c-radio-griffin-lawrence/
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