Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh. - TV Room

[Duke_Nukem]

I picked up this postcard on eBay. I'ts easy to think of nice big screen televisions used in hotels but have to say this TV does look rather pathetic! There's no date on the postcard but I'm guessing the set is a 17" model so maybe around '57-'59. The set is just a typical box-n-two-controls so I suspect we'll never identify it. I did wonder if it had some strange control on the side but I now think it is just a reflection.

I've done a virtual walk up and down the road (thanks google maps) but none of the buildings seem to match (it's the number of steps outside)

TTFN, Jon.

[paulsherwin]

Is it this one? https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_..._Scotland.html

[Duke_Nukem]

Nope. Its a close fit but the number of steps outside are different.

TTFN,
Jon

[Cobaltblue]

Just a thought is it possible that the road has been lowered ? Or that the original picture has been altered to make it appear lower ? I am sure you have already given that a thought

Cheers

Mike T

[Nickthedentist]

I think Paul's right, and there's more than one entrance.

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_PCV_M/...otel_d2776.htm

https://images.trvl-media.com/hotels...01efd4a3_z.jpg

[Radio Wrangler]

Across the street and a little bit along is the Grosvenor Townhouse, which does seem to have the right number of steps, That's the one in Nick's second link.

Quite a few hotels in Edinburgh have annexes nearby when they couldn't get properties next door to expand into.

David

[peter_scott]

Yes, entrances at all levels.
https://goo.gl/maps/aedcyMQCQFM2

Peter

[peter_scott]

How about a Ferranti 17T4?

The 14T4 appears to have a rather similar tuner with another little knob or something below it.
http://www.thevalvepage.com/dbase/ferranti/b1/b1p2.jpg

Peter

[ms660]

The Grosvenor Townhouse entrance in the link isn't the same as the one in the postcard, the postcard entrance is on the opposite side of the street, next one back from the main entrance, both appear to have had an extra step constructed at some point, check the top step levels with the protruding horizontal stone work of the wall on the old postcard and Google street view, you can also see that the rails from the wall to the top of the steps have been raised to account for the extra step in the now redundant entrance, you can also see an outline of the old apexed entrance canopy...….So far as I can make out.

Lawrence.

[Nickthedentist]

Impressive detective work yet again, Lawrence.

[Duke_Nukem]

Yes some excellent detective work here.

@Peter, you're a star ! That tuner knob is very distinctive and judging by the size relative to the cabinet it is surely a Ferranti 17T4. Well done ! An early 13ch model and unusually has continuous tuning instead of the usual switched job which perhaps explains the unusual look of it.

@Lawrence, star II ! Now you mention the shape of the discolleration on the brickwork for the now gone canopy, it all fits.

Impressed.

TTFN,
Jon

[Heatercathodeshort]

It's a Ferranti 17T4. 1954. John.

[Mr Moose]

Hello,
From this the picture was taken in 1957.
http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_PCV_M/...otel_d2776.htm
Yours, Richard

[Duke_Nukem]

@John, what a bizarre tuner. Did any other sets have continuous tuning ?

@Richard, Nick beat you to it !Interesting related postcard there from a much earlier time, showing that indeed the steps are a later addition.

What a strange TV for them to have bought. That was a 3 year old model by the time ITV began regular broadcasts in August '57 (more nerdy facts, its the last Ferranti model before concentrating on projection sets at a time when such sets were falling out of favor; in May '57 they became re-badged Ekco models). The surrounding regions didn't get ITV until 1961.

Still, you can understand why the 1957 postcard featured the TV room and helps narrow down the card to second half of '57.

Glasgow was on the edge of the service area so wonder if this was the fringe version

TTFN,
Jon

[peter_scott]

Was this tuner for Band III only? Does the little slide switch below the tuner switch between Band I and Band III?

The advert says: "thirteen channel / receiver"

Curiously it also states: "Front speaker, and all controls at front."

Peter

[Welsh Anorak]

I suppose you could always pop in and see if they're still using it in the lounge....

[peter_scott]

It would take me 3/4 of an hour to walk there and I'm too lazy.

Peter

[Heatercathodeshort]

A really fine receiver designed by Herbert Wood B.A. of Ferranti. [B. 4/12/1914. D 9-10-1955] He assumed complete responsibility for the technical development of the companies post war television receivers.

The 14/17T4 was Ferranti's first Band 3 receiver released almost a year before the ITA began transmissions on the 22nd September 1955.

It is a Band 1/3 tuner. The BBC position is set internally by preset permeability adjusters. with the switch in the Band 3 position the center screw is loosened to turn the tuner to the Band 3 position required, then locked with the screw. It is then a simple matter to flick the switch from B1 to B3. It is a very stable tuner.

Ferranti continued to produce some fine CRT receivers until 1957 when as Jon says, they passed their television production over to Ekco.

I presume this was after the death of the very well respected Hubert Wood. Ferranti were into much bigger things and probably decided to close the television dept upon his death.

The controls are under the front as can be seen. Early models also had the focus magnets adjustable via a Bowden cable from the front. Unnecessary as the Ferranti triode tubes enjoyed a long life and never drifted.

Ferranti also produced a couple of projection receivers post 1954, the 20" table model and a 24" console. The 20" table model sold reasonably well for a projection model but was completely blown away by the 21K6 21" CRT console of 1956. Regards, John.

[peter_scott]

Thanks John, certainly an interesting set and a good performer by the looks of it.

Peter

[Heatercathodeshort]

The 17" Ferranti may seem a modest receiver for a posh hotel but it was a 17" model, the largest commonly available screen size in 1954. It would only be a year before the 21" tube was introduced in a number of top line models.

[OK David, I know MASTERADIO introduced possibly the first all glass 21" model but I was scared to mention it for fear of another tale with the pink screened horror.]

Projection was almost dead in '54 enjoying a short but not wholly successful period of fame. J.