Atwater Kent Type 2A Crystal Radio Breadboard
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:17886778 |
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Here's an Atwater Kent crystal radio, featuring an early Coupled Circuit tuner and a replica Type 2A double arm detector. Both components are mounted on a 15 1/2" x 9 1/2" mahogany board.
The mahogany board is a well made copy (virtually identical to the original) of an Atwater Kent Model 5 board, which I believe is the correct size for this receiver and was the same size used for the apocryphal "hospital" sets that were -- allegedly -- given away by Kent in the early 1920's. It's clean and undamaged, with no warping and no gaps between the main board and the endcaps. The shellac finish is recent, and the only holes drilled in it are the four that secure the tuner and the detector. The configuration of the connecting wire is correct, I believe. At least it's consistent with the wiring on other AK crystal breadboards I've seen.
The Coupled Circuit tuner is original and it's in good condition, with glossy, undamaged brown bakelite and a nice undamaged dial with crisp numbering. Windings are original, and they're still tightly wrapped around the forms.
I believe that the replica 2-A crystal detector was made by Roland Matson. If not Matson, it might have been made by Wally Worth. Both collectors made copies of the detector, which in its original form is very difficult to find, as is the radio itself. In fact, I'm not sure if any wholly original examples of this radio exist. As noted above, Kent allegedly gave a few to hospitals, but I'm not aware of any that have survived.
That's about it. I will pack it carefully and properly, and I can assure you that it will show up at your doorstep in the same fine condition in which its leaves mine. I have been shipping antique phonographs and radios for years, and if you check my feedback, you'll see that I know how to do it correctly.
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