Harold Van Doren
American [1895-1957]
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Harold L. Van Doren was one of the most groundbreaking designers of the early 20th century. Van Doren was a prolific industrial designer and created numerous iconic streamlined design items including toys, Air King Skyscraper radios, fans, etc.
Van Doren opened a design office in 1931 in partnership with John Gordon Rideout in Toledo, OH. During this time they designed a colorful, art deco skyscraper public health scale for their first client, the Toledo Scale Company, and in 1933 they designed the iconic Air King "Skyscraper" radio made of Plaskon available in different colors for Air King Products, New York. At the time the Skyscraper model from Air King was the largest piece of molded plastic manufactured. In 1934 they designed a trend-setting streamline sheet metal gasoline pump for the Wayne Pump Company. That same year, Van Doren was among a number of pioneering industrial designers featured in a 1934 Fortune magazine article written by architect/designer George Nelson.
During his lifetime his office designed a range of streamlined children's bicycles, tricycles, scooters, and wagons in 1935 for the American National Company, and for Toledo Scale, a lightweight, modern "Sentinel Duplex" retail scale, using the largest plastic molding of the time.
** We are always looking to buy DHarold Van Doren Air King Radios and furniture as well as other top designers + art deco items from the period. Please contact us if you are looking to sell. Calls are always welcome: 305.778.2182 **
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Gone
Air King 'Skyscraper' Radio Model 52 with Egyptians in Ivory - Harold Van Doren
Quintessential American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
Striking Ivory Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 52 radio with the Egyptian insert; a true American Art Deco design icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's" called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This ivory plaskon with black trim Air King Model 52 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model radio constructed of plaskon(an early plastic), has the rarer Egyptian insert on its waterfall facade and the large deco "AK" tuning knob. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is all-original and in fabulous condition with only a few small hairlines/mold marks and small scratches consistent with manufacturing process, age and use. The Deco Egyptian insert is original and in great condition with only slight signs of age. The three black bakelite knobs + the two ivory top bars are original to the radio and perfect. Radio retains the original grill cloth and metal bottom panel. Speaker is not installed in radio, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 66 radio in Pure White - Harold Van Doren
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
Beautiful and Rare Pure White Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 66 radio with the 'Clock' insert, a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This pure white Plaskon Air King Model 66 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model constructed of Plaskon (an early plastic), has the deco clock insert on its deco waterfall facade. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Unlike the most often seen Ivory colored Air King this is a Pure White example...it is so white that it is a Bluish-White Plaskon color. This color cabinet is seldom seen. Radio is original + in beautiful condition with small scratches and blemishes that are a common for Air King radios consistent with manufacturing process, age and use. Deco clock face, chrome surround and convex glass covering the clock are original + perfect. White dial face with Atlas holding the world on his shoulders is is bright and perfect. The four Black bakelite knobs with inset pure white plaskon + the two matching pure white top bars are original to the radio and damage free. Radio retains the original grill cloth. Original speaker is not attached , as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Gone
Air King 'Skyscraper' Radio Model 66 in Yellow - Harold Van Doren
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
Rare and beautiful Yellow Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 66 radio with the 'Clock' insert, a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This yellow Plaskon Air King Model 66 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model constructed of Plaskon (an early plastic), has the clock insert on its deco waterfall facade. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is original + in beautiful condition with small scratches and blemishes that are a common for Air King radios consistent with manufacturing process, age and use; however it does have a repair on the top of the cabinet that was expertly done years ago. Deco clock face, chrome surround and convex glass covering the clock are original + perfect. White dial face with Atlas holding the world on his shoulders is is bright and perfect. The four Black bakelite knobs with inset yellow plaskon + the two yellow top bars are original to the radio, damage free. Radio retains the original grill cloth and cardboard bottom panel. Speaker is not attached, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Gone
Air King 'Skyscraper' 52 Radio Green w/Crystalline Finish + Egyptians
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
The Green with Crystalline Finish Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 52 radio with the Egyptian insert is a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's" called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This green plaskon with rare crystalline finish Air King Model 52 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model radio constructed of plaskon (an early plastic ) with an applied original crystalline finish, has the rarer Egyptian insert on its waterfall facade and the large deco 'AK" tuning knob. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is all-original + in great condition with only small scratches and blemishes that are a common for Air King radios consistent with manufacturing process, age and use. Original crystalline finish has some wear associated with age and use as would be expected. The Deco black + brass Egyptian insert is original and in great condition with only slight signs of age. The green 'AK' tuning knobs and the the two green top bars are original to the radio and perfect; the two lever knobs are replacements. Radio retains the original grill cloth and metal bottom panel. Speaker is not installed in radio, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Gone
Air King Skyscraper Radio Model 66 in Lavender - Harold Van Doren
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
Incredible and rare Lavender Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 66 radio with the 'Globe' insert, a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This lavender Plaskon Air King Model 66 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model constructed of Plaskon (an early plastic), has the Globe insert on its deco waterfall facade. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is all-original + in great original condition with no cracks, chips or repairs; cabinet has small scratches and blemishes that are a common for Air King radios consistent with manufacturing process, age and use. Globes, chrome surround and convex glass covering globes are original + perfect. Black dial face bright and perfect; this radio was found in Portugal and has a 220V chassis with the European 'Star' dial. The four Black bakelite knobs with inset lavender plaskon + the two lavender top bars are original to the radio and damage free. Radio retains the original grill cloth. Speaker is not attached, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Gone
Air King 'Skyscraper' Radio Model 66 in Blue - Harold Van Doren
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
Rare and beautiful Blue Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 66 radio with the 'Globe' insert, a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This blue Plaskon Air King Model 66 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model constructed of Plaskon (an early plastic), has the Globe insert on its deco waterfall facade. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is all-original + in great original condition with only small scratches and blemishes that are a common for Air King radios consistent with manufacturing process, age and use. Globes, chrome surround and convex glass covering globes are original + perfect. Black dial face with Atlas holding the world on his shoulders is is bright and perfect. The three Black bakelite knobs with inset blue plaskon + the two blue top bars are original to the radio, damage free and only exhibit a small amount of discoloration; common for this color. Radio retains the original grill cloth and cardboard bottom panel. Speaker is not attached, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Gone
Air King 52 Radio 'Skyscraper' with Egyptians - Harold Van Doren
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
The Air King 'Skyscraper' Model 52 radio with the Egyptian insert is a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's" called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This ivory plaskon with black trim Air King Model 52 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model radio constructed of plaskon(an early plastic ), has the rarer Egyptian insert on its waterfall facade and the large deco 'AK" tuning knob. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is all-original and in fabulous condition with only a few small hairlines and small scratches consistent with manufacturing process, age and use. The Deco black + silver Egyptian insert is original and in great condition with only slight signs of age. The three black bakelite knobs + the two ivory top bars are original to the radio and perfect. Radio retains the original grill cloth and metal bottom panel. Speaker is not installed in radio, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician. ** We are always LOOKING TO BUY Air King Skyscraper Radios - TOP PRICE PAID FOR THIS RADIO in any color or condition. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. **
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Gone
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Air King "Skyscraper" Radio Model 66 in Ivory - Harold Van Doren
Striking American Art Deco Air King Radio Design
The Air King "Skyscraper" Model 66 radio with the "Globe" insert is a true American Art Deco icon. John Sideli in his book "Classic Plastic Radios of the 30's and 40's" called it "one of the most important plastic radios ever made". This ivory plaskon Air King Model 66 was designed by Harold Van Doren + John Gordon Rideout for the Air King Products Company of New York in 1933. This early model constructed of Plaskon(an early plastic ), has Globe insert on its waterfall facade. The fragile nature of the Air King radios has made them extremely rare + desirable. Radio is all-original + in fabulous condition with only small scratches consistent with age and use. Globes and convex glass covering them are original + perfect. Black dial face with Atlas holding the world on his shoulders is is bright and perfect. The three Black bakelite knobs with inset ivory plaskon + the two top bars are original to the radio and perfect. Radio retains the original grill cloth and cardboard bottom panel. Speaker is removed from radio, as it is safer to display the Air King without the heavy speaker hanging from top of cabinet. The radio measures approximately: 11.75" High by 8.75" Wide by 6.75" Deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician.
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