1921 RCA Westinghouse Aeriola Jr. Crystal Radio w/Orig. Detector * 1st Version

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Make sure to check out all of my auctions this week. I'm listing a beautiful, perfectly-working 1901 Columbia "B" open works cylinder phonograph and a half dozen very fine antique radios, including a near mint 1922 National Airphone 1-Tube micro-receiver complete with both of its original "pop-in" coils; a 1922 Chelsea ZR-4 Transcontinental radio (excellent condition and working); a 1922 Tuska 224 one-tube radio (excellent condition and working); and a 1922 Aeriola Sr. one-tube radio (excellent condition and working). You can also Please note, however, that this software glitches occasionally, and it's not uncommon for bidders to be notified of new auction listings after those auctions have ended, so it's always safest to check in Monday morning, as I list items every Sunday night.Here's an unusually clean, all original and very collectible 1921 Westinghouse Aeriola Jr. crystal receiver. The radio includes an early grounding wire and a working pair of Cannon "Chief" headphones. Please note that this is the first version of the Aeriola Jr., manufactured prior to RCA's distribution agreement with Westinghouse. It is identical to the set pictured on page 100 of Wenaas's Radiola: The Golden Age of RCA , and it features the correct (and fairly scarce) 1st state instruction card on the underside of the lid as well as the first version of the dial knob (oval rather than cylindrical).Condition of the radio is excellent throughout. The radio's original 2-element Perikon detector is still intact and working properly. The instruction card is also original, and its condition is excellent, with some browning in areas but no damage. The factory-painted panel is matte black and extremely clean, with no blotchiness or flaking paint. It is probably the most pristine Aeriola Jr. panel I've ever seen.The cabinet retains its factory finish and is in excellent condition throughout, with some finish wear consistent with its age and authenticity but no significant marks anywhere. There are two tiny holes on the back of the lid through which the original owner threaded his ground an antenna wires, and there's a small notch on the left side through which the headphone wires could be fitted. These minor modifications were made so that the radio could be used with its lid closed -- and its dial and detector out of the way of children and pets. The cabinet is otherwise "as issued" and in very nice shape, particularly for an Aeriola Jr. cabinet. Cabinet hardware is original, with some tarnish and light pitting/oxidation but no corrosion or other damage. The chassis is close to mint, without a hint of rust, corrosion or humidity damage. The sheathing on the wire is still bright orange, and there are no stains on the tuner. The tuning dial is still nicely silvered and fully legible, with moderate wear, but nothing like the dark, unreadable dial markings you typically see on the receiver. The headphones are in excellent, working condition. Their leads have open wire rather than metal tips. The headphone cord is robust and flexible, with no fraying. Though its design is pretty simple, this is a difficult radio to use. The Perikon detector in particular is cranky and unpredictable (that's why most Aeriola Jr. sets had their original detectors replaced with cheap but reliable substitutes made by Philmore and others). If you want to operate the set, you'll need a serious longwire outdoor antenna (at least 140 feet long and 20 feet off of the ground), an excellent indoor ground connection running to the chassis, and an understanding of the tuning fundamentals of an early 20's crystal radio. Even then, you may find it difficult to pick up a station, but if you're patient, you may get lucky. Some prior hands-on experience with another crystal set would also help a great deal. I do not have an antenna long enough to adequately test a crystal radio, but I suspect that ... read more

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