Super-Rare 1931 Silvertone Model 1152 Repwood Cathedral Radio, Restored & Works!

Description

Years ago I showed up at a yard sale in Thomaston, Maine just as they were packing up. Seeing the disappointment in my face, the older gentleman running the sale told me there were still some things in his late mother’s attic that he hadn’t bothered to bring down; would I like to have a look? I said I certainly would. It turned out to be my lucky day: I found this gorgeous, and very rare, radio up there.
It's a Silvertone model 1152 cathedral-style radio from 1931 (back then they were known as “midgets”), and if you look at the pictures you will see right away why I was so delighted to find it. Silvertone, the house brand of Sears, hadn’t been around for many years in 1931, and most of their sets were pretty plain and utilitarian at that point. This one, though, was something else entirely: a bold design paired with a bold chassis. The chassis of this little (16.5”h x 15”w x 8”d) 6-tube set features a pair of 45 tubes, offering the kind of push-pull output – typically only found in high-end consoles back then – that produced great volume without distortion. In other words, this petite jewel will rattle your windows. It’s also very sensitive, clearly picking up stations from hundreds of miles away at night.
The real star of the show, though is the cabinet: Gorgeous and ornate, it’s façade is repwood, a compound of sawdust and glue that was fashioned into intricate designs that would have been extremely difficult (and costly!) to carve. Repwood was expensive, too, and was only employed by a few manufacturers for a couple of seasons. Most repwood sets have not aged well. This one, as you can see, is the exception. It is very rare, and almost unknown in such fine condition. Even the dazzling grille cloth is original and pristine.
The set has since been meticulously restored electronically, and works and sounds as good as it did when new. It has sat in my living room for years, where it has been played nearly every day and marveled at by nearly every visitor who’s every seen it. I have enjoyed it immensely; it has been one of the jewels of my collection. Now, though, I’m running out of space, so it’s time to pass it along to another collector who will cherish and enjoy it as much as I have for years to come.
If you’ve always wanted one of these but despaired of ever finding one in any condition, this is your lucky day; I doubt very much you will ever come across another. Best of all, I am offering it here with NO RESERVE – high bidder takes it!
I will ship this item ONLY within the United States. If you live elsewhere and are interested in it, please contact me BEFORE bidding so we can discuss the shipping charges, which can be very expensive outside the U.S. I ship once a week (whenever possible). Having received, over the years, some items that did not survive shipping, I always take care to pack very carefully. If you prefer, I will be happy to drop it off at a nearby UPS store and have it professionally packed and shipped at your expense. I reserve the right to raise or lower the shipping charges should they prove to be significantly different than those determined by the shipping calculator. I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone with excessive negative feedback or an otherwise suspicious history. Payment is due within three (3) days of the auction's close. Due to its age I am selling this radio without any warranty. All sales are final. I am not a dealer, and don’t have a big operation with a staff, so I would appreciate your patience while I take the time to pack your items with the care they deserve.
Be sure to see all the pictures! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but please try to ask as early as possible, as it sometimes takes me a while to get to my email. Please see my other listings, as I am running out of space and am thinning out my collection considerably. I have several fine items up on Ebay right now, and will be listing many more in the weeks and months to come, so please keep checking. Good luck and happy bidding!