Not on display

Princess Portable model P63

Radio
1947 (designed), 1948-1949 (made)
Artist/Maker
EKCO (manufacturer)
Coates, Wells (designer)
Place of origin
Southend-on-Sea (made)

Portable battery radio, Ekco Princess Portable Model P63 with miniature valves in acrylic and other plastics.

Object details

Categories
Images Online
Audio Equipment
Plastic
Product Design
Entertainment & Leisure
Household Objects
Object type
Radio
TitlePrincess Portable model P63 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Acrylic and other plastics, with miniature glass valves
Acrylic
Plastic
Brief description
Portable battery radio, Ekco Princess Portable Model P63, designed by Wells Coates, 1947, manufactured by E.K. Cole Ltd, 1948-9, United States
Physical description
Portable battery radio, Ekco Princess Portable Model P63 with miniature valves in acrylic and other plastics.
Dimensions
  • Height: 19cm
  • Width: 21cm
  • Depth: 2.4cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
EKCO PRINCESS PORTABLE MODEL P63
Designed by Wells Coates (Canadian, born Tokyo, 1895-1958), 1947
Made by E.K. Cole Ltd., Southend-on-Sea Essex, Great Britain, 1948-9
Miniature valves; acrylic and other plastics
W.29-1984

The Princess was a lightweight model available in a range of two-tone coloured plastics. Miniature glass valves developed in the U.S.A. made its small size possible, while the flexible strap, compact casing and clear handle show a rationalising approach to radio design.

[20th century gallery]
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Bibliographic references
  • Baker, Malcolm, and Brenda Richardson (eds.), A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&A Publications, 1999.
  • 108 Hawes, Robert, Radio Art (London, 1991)
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.29-1984

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Record createdJanuary 15, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O73081/princess-portable-model-p63-radio-coates-wells/
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