Crystal Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Jonjo57 · 19th Nov 2023, 7:09 pm

I have an unusual item which I think is a crystal radio, I have no knowledge of how these work, is anyone able to advise please? Thanks

paulsherwin · 19th Nov 2023, 7:12 pm

Can you post some pictures?

Jonjo57 · 19th Nov 2023, 7:34 pm

Thanks, here are a few pictures of the item.

Herald1360 · 20th Nov 2023, 11:09 am

Well, it's definitely a novelty crystal set!
I can see a variometer (the two coils one inside the other, the inner one of which can be rotated, perhaps by turning the head or the whole body of the doll) for tuning and what may be a detector crystal (the little cylindrical thing with the button(?) on its end). There may or may not be a capacitor or two inside the base depending on exactly how basic it is.
Chances are it won't work without some attention; even if it did, there's not much left on medium wave AM for it to receive.
Some sympathetic cosmetic restoration and the addition of a period pair of headphones connected to the Phones terminals would make it a nice display piece in a female boudoir!

60 oldjohn · 20th Nov 2023, 11:26 am

That looks like a Crystal set with a Pericon detector (used two Crystals in one container) and a Variometer to tune the set. You will need a pair of high impedance headphones, a long aerial and an Earth connection. Then if you are very lucky you may be able to hear one or maybe two very radio stations. As these sets use no power the signal will be very weak. That is a rare set you have.

John.

Crossed with Chris.

Mr 1936 · 20th Nov 2023, 2:46 pm

Hi

Crystal radios were popular in the early 1920's, both commercially made and home constructed. Their usual appearance was like something out of a science laboratory, but a few enterprising manufacturers made novelty disguised versions which may have been more acceptable in the home.

I haven't seen one such as yours, but judging from the quality of the labels etc it appears to have been well made. Would be nice to preserve this rarity which is now 100 years old and therefore officially an antique !

paulsherwin · 20th Nov 2023, 3:03 pm

I agree, I've never seen anything like that. It may be worth a few bob to a specialist collector, but I've no idea how to value it.

Station X · 20th Nov 2023, 3:13 pm

I'm no expert, but I get the impression that the doll is much more modern than the crystal set. The hair looks synthetic. What's the body made from?

David G4EBT · 20th Nov 2023, 4:42 pm

So rare that I think if that was mine, it would be off to Bonhams:

https://www.bonhams.com

paulsherwin · 20th Nov 2023, 5:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Station X

I'm no expert, but I get the impression that the doll is much more modern than the crystal set. The hair looks synthetic. What's the body made from?

I wonder if the doll is a later modification of a much older crystal set. Does the doll serve any functional purpose, or is it just plonked on top? The doll's dress does look rather home made.

Silicon · 21st Nov 2023, 1:59 am

I assume that when you rotate the doll it rotates the inner coil of the variometer.

19th Nov 2023, 7:09 pm	#1
Jonjo57 Diode Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Bangor, Wales, UK. Posts: 2	Crystal Radio I have an unusual item which I think is a crystal radio, I have no knowledge of how these work, is anyone able to advise please? Thanks

19th Nov 2023, 7:12 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,124	Re: Crystal Radio Can you post some pictures?

19th Nov 2023, 7:34 pm	#3
Jonjo57 Diode Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Bangor, Wales, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Crystal Radio Thanks, here are a few pictures of the item. Attached Thumbnails

20th Nov 2023, 11:09 am	#4
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,467	Re: Crystal Radio Well, it's definitely a novelty crystal set! I can see a variometer (the two coils one inside the other, the inner one of which can be rotated, perhaps by turning the head or the whole body of the doll) for tuning and what may be a detector crystal (the little cylindrical thing with the button(?) on its end). There may or may not be a capacitor or two inside the base depending on exactly how basic it is. Chances are it won't work without some attention; even if it did, there's not much left on medium wave AM for it to receive. Some sympathetic cosmetic restoration and the addition of a period pair of headphones connected to the Phones terminals would make it a nice display piece in a female boudoir! __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

20th Nov 2023, 11:26 am	#5
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,799	Re: Crystal Radio That looks like a Crystal set with a Pericon detector (used two Crystals in one container) and a Variometer to tune the set. You will need a pair of high impedance headphones, a long aerial and an Earth connection. Then if you are very lucky you may be able to hear one or maybe two very radio stations. As these sets use no power the signal will be very weak. That is a rare set you have. John. Crossed with Chris. __________________ My favourite text message "I'll be there in five minutes, if not read again" Last edited by 60 oldjohn; 20th Nov 2023 at 11:33 am.

20th Nov 2023, 2:46 pm	#6
Mr 1936 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Romsey, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 472	Re: Crystal Radio Hi Crystal radios were popular in the early 1920's, both commercially made and home constructed. Their usual appearance was like something out of a science laboratory, but a few enterprising manufacturers made novelty disguised versions which may have been more acceptable in the home. I haven't seen one such as yours, but judging from the quality of the labels etc it appears to have been well made. Would be nice to preserve this rarity which is now 100 years old and therefore officially an antique !

20th Nov 2023, 3:03 pm	#7
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,124	Re: Crystal Radio I agree, I've never seen anything like that. It may be worth a few bob to a specialist collector, but I've no idea how to value it.

20th Nov 2023, 3:13 pm	#8
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 20,624	Re: Crystal Radio I'm no expert, but I get the impression that the doll is much more modern than the crystal set. The hair looks synthetic. What's the body made from? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

20th Nov 2023, 4:42 pm	#9
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,568	Re: Crystal Radio So rare that I think if that was mine, it would be off to Bonhams: https://www.bonhams.com __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

21st Nov 2023, 1:59 am	#11
Silicon Octode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coulsdon, London, UK. Posts: 1,989	Re: Crystal Radio I assume that when you rotate the doll it rotates the inner coil of the variometer.