Sparton Radio
Jackson - Michigan [1900 -]
The Sparks-Withington Company of Jackson, Michigan or SPARTON as it became known is considered to be one of the most adventurous manufacturers when it came to the choice of cabinet materials. They used wood, glass, chrome, Bakelite, Plaskon, and adding to the line-up the 500C in Cloisonné and Catalin.
Their highly artistic juxta-position of these materials has resulted in some of the most distinctive and collectible sets of the tube radio genre.
In 1935 they introduced a series of midnight blue + old rose(peach) glass mirror and wood radios designed by Walter Dorwin Teague such as the Nocturne and Bluebird models, followed by the 557 "3-Knob Sled" in 1936, the deluxe 558 "4-Knob Sled", 517-B "Black Cube" in 1937 and, the last of their mirror radios, the 409GL "7-Sided" was launched in 1938.
The Sparton "Bluebird" and the 409-GL "7-Sided" were only available in midnight blue mirror from the factory. Sparton radios were never originally made with green mirror or other fantasy colors as far as known from period advertisements and experience.
** We are always looking to buy Sparton Mirror and Catalin Radios as well as other Catalin, Plaskon + Bakelite radios by any manufacturer. Please contact us if you are looking to sell a radio. Calls are always welcome: 305.778.2182 **
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Sparton 557 "Sled" Radio in Cobalt Blue Mirror Art Deco Teague Design
Sparton 557 Considered to be one of the Best Examples of Deco Streamline Style
Striking Art Deco cobalt blue mirror radio model 557 designed by Walter Dorwin Teague for the Sparks-Worthington Company from Jackson, Michigan in 1936. The radio, known as the "sled" or "3-knob" is a considered to be one of the best examples of Deco Streamline style. The radio features cobalt blue mirrors on the front, top and left side, with contrasting ebony lacquer finish and 5 chromed bands or "speed lines". The asymmetric, geometric shapes and accent designs are distinctively art deco in appearance. Radio is in great condition and is free of chips and cracks to the original mirrors. Mirrors are original to the radio and have been expertly re-silvered + look beautiful and bright with only small scratches. Wood "sled" base has the original ebony crystalline finish lacquer in great original condition with only slight signs of age. Chrome fins have original chrome with only minor pitting. Chassis still retains original manufacturer's gold sticker affixed. This is a prime example of a highly sought after Art Deco radio that is matched by no other manufacturer in its flair and presence. Radio measures approximately: 18" wide by 8.75" high by 8" deep. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the chassis seems complete, cord is cut. Set is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician.
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Ebony Sparton 517-B Radio Walter Dorwin Teague Art Deco Design
Rare Ebony Lacquer with Chrome Trim Sparton Radio
Rare 1936 517-B Sparton "Cube" with the ebony lacquer finish + chrome trim is seldom a seen Art Deco radio. Manufactured by the Sparks-Withington Company of Jackson, Michigan and was the creation of renowned industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague. This model radio was one of three finishes available in 1936: wood, ivory and ebony. Of the three, the 517-B in ebony is the only one that was available with chrome stripes and the ribbed knobs also with chrome inserts, a feature that in my opinion sets it quite apart from all the other cube radios of the period. This is truly a striking radio to look at. Radio retains the original manufacturers label affixed to chassis showing the model # as 517-B, the original grill cloth in wonderful condition with only minimal wear consistent with age. This radio has been carefully restored back to its original state, black lacquer has a beautiful sheen. The 3 chrome strips are orignal to the radio and are in very good original condition with light surface wear consistent with age and use. The Art Deco dial scale has some mild fading on the red numerals, which is common on this model. Knobs are original to the set + are the same ones used on other Teague designed models such as the mirror 557 and 558 models. Speaker is the original "Sparton Reproducer". Radio measures approximately 13.5" wide x 12.5" high x 9" 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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Art Deco Sparton Blue Mirror Radio Model 557 "Sled" Teague Design
This Sparton Mirrored Radio is a Considered to be one of the Best Examples of Deco Streamline Style
Striking Art Deco cobalt blue mirror radio model 557 designed by Walter Dorwin Teague for the Sparks-Worthington Company from Jackson, Michigan in 1936. The radio, known as the "sled" or "3-knob" is a considered to be one of the best examples of Deco Streamline style. The radio features cobalt blue mirrors on the front, top and left side, with contrasting ebony lacquer finish and 5 chromed bands or "speed lines". The asymmetric, geometric shapes and accent designs are distinctively art deco in appearance. Radio is in great condition and is free of chips, or cracks to the original mirrors. Mirrors are original and look beautiful, with only minor scratches and oxidation consistent with age + use. Wood "sled" base has original ebony lacquer in nice original condition with some of the crystalline finish still visible. Chrome is original with only minor pitting. This is a prime example of a highly sought after Art Deco radio that is matched by no other manufacturer in its flair and presence. Radio measures approximately: 18" wide by 8.75" high by 8" 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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Great Art Deco Sparton 517-B Radio Walter Dorwin Teague Design
Rare Ebony Lacquer with Chrome Trim Sparton Radio
The 1936 517-B Sparton "Cube" with the ebony lacquer finish and chrome trim is seldom a seen Art Deco radio and especially in this great of original condition. Made by the Sparks-Withington Company of Jackson, Michigan and was the creation of renowned industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague. This model radio was one of three finishes available in 1936: wood, ivory and ebony. Of the three, the 517-B in ebony is the only one that was available with chrome stripes and the ribbed knobs also with chrome inserts, a feature that in my opinion sets it quite apart from all the other cube radios of the period. This is truly a striking radio to look at. This radio is all original and in incredible condition for a 76 year old radio. Paint has some scuffs and cracking but nothing that deters from the radios beauty and rarity. Art Deco dial scale is not faded and dial plastic is original. Knobs are original and are the same ones used on other Teague designed models such as the 557 and 558. Radio measures approximately 13.5" wide x 12.5" high x 9" 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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Sparton 500C Red Cloisonné Art Deco Radio with Catalin Case
Rare Streamline 1930's American Radio
The Sparton Cloisonné model 500C radio introduced in 1939 is a veritable Art Deco masterpiece designed by Walter Dorwin Teague. Its compact housing features a colorful metallic red cloisonné front, exquisitely trimmed with a streamline lace-work of chrome and framed with yellow Catalin housing. This is the only radio designed that combines all three materials. This radio is perfect with no cracks, chips or repairs to the butterscotch Catalin cabinet or bright metallic red Cloisonné front. Ivory plastic knobs are original to the set as is the bottom manufacturers paper label. Cardboard back is a replacement. Small cabinet has a mild warp and tube burn that does not affect the rarity or beauty of this radio and are quite common for this model. This is an incredible radio that is seldom offered for sale especially in this great of a condition. This compact radio measures approximately 8" wide x 5" high x 4.25" 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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1939 Art Deco Sparton 500C Blue Cloisonné Radio with Catalin Cabinet
Walter Dorwin Teague Rare Art Deco Beauty
The Sparton Cloisonné model 500C radio introduced in 1939 is a veritable Art Deco masterpiece designed by Walter Dorwin Teague. Its compact housing features a colorful metallic sky blue cloisonné front, exquisitely trimmed with a streamline lace-work of chrome and framed with yellow Catalin housing. This is the only radio designed that combines all three materials. This radio is perfect with no cracks, chips or repairs to the butterscotch Catalin cabinet or bright metallic blue Cloisonné front. Ivory plastic knobs are original to the set as is the bottom manufacturers paper label. Cardboard back is a replacement. This is an incredible radio that is seldom offered for sale especially in this great of a condition. This compact radio measures approximately 8" wide by 5" high by 4.25 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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