Is this a rare example ? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

greenhut11 · 17th Jun 2009, 2:40 pm

Apologise in advance if this is in the wrong area.
I have found me old tranny from my youth and wondered if anyone knew more about it and the make.
I can't find anything via google hence my posting here.
I used to listen to radio lux on this with me head buried under the blanket.
It still works.
any info appreciated
Regards
green

radiogammon · 17th Jun 2009, 3:15 pm

Looks like one of the small trannies produced in the Far East in the mid to late 60's. They were often sold under various names, hence the small stick on name label. They were sold at the cheap end of the market.

paulsherwin · 17th Jun 2009, 3:43 pm

Elftone was one of a number of brands used by Hong Kong manufacturers in the 60s and 70s. I don't think the radio is particularly rare or valuable, though there are collectors who specialise in radios of this type. The sentimental value for you is likely to be much greater than any cash value.

Paul

Darren-UK · 22nd Jun 2009, 5:23 pm

To highlight the points raised above, take a look at this page and especially the third image down. You'll see the same radio under different brandnames. Your actual radio isn't shown, but you'll get the idea.

An import-export company by the name of Elftone still exists, but whether or not this is the same company I don't know. Probably not.

Nickthedentist · 22nd Jun 2009, 6:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren-uk

An import-export company by the name of Elftone still exists, but whether or not this is the same company I don't know. Probably not.

I'm not convinced it won't be. They were certainly still selling microcassette recorders in the late 1980s.

greenhut11 · 22nd Jun 2009, 8:11 pm

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.
I just got a bit more history on it. My grandmother used to frequent the prize bingo on the prom at Redcar, Whitby etc and the radio was from one of these establishments. Apparently mine is the only survivor of 4 given to the family by her.

Darren-UK · 22nd Jun 2009, 11:49 pm

Well it's nice to know you've got a history for the little radio, I'd hang onto it for that reason alone. Very often something with a tangible history is worth much more in terms of sentiment as opposed to monetary value.

On the subject of monetary value this one may be worth three quid or thereabouts, double that if complete with original packaging - but that's about all. The original outfit would've consisted of a protective plastic bag for the radio, a carrying strap (as per that I can see in the picture), very possibly an earphone, less possibly a battery and a simple instruction sheet. The whole ensemble would've been presented in a colourful little box, very likely depicting a young lad or lady listening to the radio with a look of ecstatic delight on his/her face.

My comment regarding the colourful little box is of note. Hong Kong was then effectively part of the British Empire and products therefrom, such as this little radio, were not presented quite as colourfully as the competing and, frankly, better quality products coming out of Japan. Many believe the latter was the death knell for the British radio industry, but to continue on that subject would be off-topic here.

That's a little bit more info for you plus a bit of social history, if you like, concerning these little radios in general.

paulsherwin · 23rd Jun 2009, 12:53 am

This is exactly the sort of thing that it's good to retain and hand om down the family. Subsequent generations may really treasure it. You should try to document the bingo story and keep it with the radio.

Paul

17th Jun 2009, 2:40 pm	#1
greenhut11 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: middlesbrough Posts: 2	Is this a rare example ? Apologise in advance if this is in the wrong area. I have found me old tranny from my youth and wondered if anyone knew more about it and the make. I can't find anything via google hence my posting here. I used to listen to radio lux on this with me head buried under the blanket. It still works. any info appreciated Regards green Attached Thumbnails

17th Jun 2009, 3:15 pm	#2
radiogammon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 275	Re: Is this a rare example ? Looks like one of the small trannies produced in the Far East in the mid to late 60's. They were often sold under various names, hence the small stick on name label. They were sold at the cheap end of the market.

17th Jun 2009, 3:43 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,932	Re: Is this a rare example ? Elftone was one of a number of brands used by Hong Kong manufacturers in the 60s and 70s. I don't think the radio is particularly rare or valuable, though there are collectors who specialise in radios of this type. The sentimental value for you is likely to be much greater than any cash value. Paul

22nd Jun 2009, 5:23 pm	#4
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Is this a rare example ? To highlight the points raised above, take a look at this page and especially the third image down. You'll see the same radio under different brandnames. Your actual radio isn't shown, but you'll get the idea. An import-export company by the name of Elftone still exists, but whether or not this is the same company I don't know. Probably not.

22nd Jun 2009, 8:11 pm	#6
greenhut11 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: middlesbrough Posts: 2	Re: Is this a rare example ? Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. I just got a bit more history on it. My grandmother used to frequent the prize bingo on the prom at Redcar, Whitby etc and the radio was from one of these establishments. Apparently mine is the only survivor of 4 given to the family by her.

22nd Jun 2009, 11:49 pm	#7
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Is this a rare example ? Well it's nice to know you've got a history for the little radio, I'd hang onto it for that reason alone. Very often something with a tangible history is worth much more in terms of sentiment as opposed to monetary value. On the subject of monetary value this one may be worth three quid or thereabouts, double that if complete with original packaging - but that's about all. The original outfit would've consisted of a protective plastic bag for the radio, a carrying strap (as per that I can see in the picture), very possibly an earphone, less possibly a battery and a simple instruction sheet. The whole ensemble would've been presented in a colourful little box, very likely depicting a young lad or lady listening to the radio with a look of ecstatic delight on his/her face. My comment regarding the colourful little box is of note. Hong Kong was then effectively part of the British Empire and products therefrom, such as this little radio, were not presented quite as colourfully as the competing and, frankly, better quality products coming out of Japan. Many believe the latter was the death knell for the British radio industry, but to continue on that subject would be off-topic here. That's a little bit more info for you plus a bit of social history, if you like, concerning these little radios in general.

23rd Jun 2009, 12:53 am	#8
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,932	Re: Is this a rare example ? This is exactly the sort of thing that it's good to retain and hand om down the family. Subsequent generations may really treasure it. You should try to document the bingo story and keep it with the radio. Paul