Sterling Cabinet-info - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

rstel10 · 1st Mar 2009, 5:25 pm

Hi all,
I have a sterling telephone cabinet which i was hoping you guys could give me some info on, these are some photos(hope they work)

I will add more detail soon but i must dash as my son is screaming downstairs

Many Thanks

dave walsh · 1st Mar 2009, 6:42 pm

Interesting No 10. I thought you were completely confused at first, until I saw the logo. You seem to be in the wrong section as this appears not to be a telephone but the Mods will decide on that. Maybe the Telephone Co had branched out into Radio, circa the late twenties/early 30's? There is a model No there but I can't read it-might help. I'm sure the period experts will be able to advise you much more accurately depending on whether you want technical info or a valuation [which can often be much more difficult]. Seems a bit unusual anyway! We'd be interested to know how it's turned up?
Dave W

michamoo · 1st Mar 2009, 6:48 pm

I have a crystal set by this manufacturer and the knobs look the same. My set dates from the 1920s and also had plug in coils just like the one in the picture.

rstel10 · 1st Mar 2009, 7:03 pm

Thanks for the info guys,

I believe it came from my grandmother originally, who gave it to my father. I can remember it being in our living room from probably the age of 6 or 7 (1988-1989), without going into too much life history, my mother and father separated and it stayed with him, and unfortunately he died in 2005, it was only when clearing his house we found the radio/telephone equipment in the top bit of it. since 2005 it has been stored at my brothers father in laws.
The photos are from my brother so i will see if he has one of the model number etc.

Thanks again

Paul_RK · 1st Mar 2009, 7:08 pm

Yes, Sterling were a major manufacturer of receivers in the early broadcast days, and this one is among their more elaborate models from 1924 or thereabouts. I have a two-valve set of very similar panel style - I think yours, like mine, will have been a part of their 'Anodion' range. The company was taken over by Marconiphone in 1925, when so far as I know the Sterling name ceased to be used.

Paul

mickjjo · 1st Mar 2009, 7:25 pm

Could be the Sterling Regina type 1618 as shown in Radio! Radio! page 76, fig. 125, should have a Lumiere pleated speaker, Nice!

Regards, Mick.

chipp1968 · 1st Mar 2009, 9:03 pm

Wow , thats a rarther special thing !
Does it have a speaker built in ? Its not the same as the cabinet with the pleated speaker

rstel10 · 2nd Mar 2009, 12:07 am

I am not aware of it having a speaker but it may well have I suppose.
My grandmother always had some interesting radio things, it makes me cringe to remember the things we broke up and burned

but you live and learn I guess.
I think it is slightly different to the one in the pic but very similar.

Paul you say it is an elaborate one, where abouts do think it would have come in the scale of radios of that time? I guess what I am getting at is what type of person would have bought it originally.
here are a few more pics.

Once again thanks for all the info and interest.

Terry.

dave walsh · 2nd Mar 2009, 6:28 pm

Photos are interesting Terry but the blurred Type No is on the other side

. Re the Speaker, do you mean that there is nothing at all in the cabinet now? As Mick suggests, it does look like the Regina with the doors concealing that feature. As for the Type of owners, I guess only people with a fair amount to lay out would have afforded a cabinet set with LS output in the period indicated. You could have had a decent motor or a house] for £65 Guinea's or thereabouts. Cheers Dave W

Paul_RK · 2nd Mar 2009, 6:37 pm

Hello Terry,

It'll be interesting to see what is or was behind the large doors at the front: a speaker seems the obvious item, a cabinet of those proportions wouldn't normally have been made just to house a radio panel at the top. The set does look distinctly to resemble the Regina, and that model's price of £63 would have placed it among the most expensive radios of its day, completely out of reach to all but a few prospective buyers. Radio itself was a novelty, broadcasting having started only a couple of years earlier. The total number of receiving licenses only passed a million toward the end of 1924, and an overwhelming majority of licenses would have been for crystal sets and simple one-and two-valvers.

Paul

chipp1968 · 3rd Mar 2009, 9:36 am

In other words the original owner would have been very well off indeed ! Looking at it again it does look the same cabinet as the pic, I was mistaken by the lid being up thinking it was an upper front panal on yours .What is behind the front doors . If there is a speaker which seams quite possible it will be the pleated one shown in pic or will be a horn speaker like on a gramophone ,built in .

rstel10 · 4th Mar 2009, 12:22 am

Hi Guys,

I have a few more pics, and this time you can see the model number, its a type 1619, i am not sure what the difference is between the 1618 and this one. the handles look different but thats all i can tell.
I have never known the cabinet to have a speaker in it, it has always just been used as a cupboard, if i remember right there is a shelf behind the doors but thats it. Its a shame its not all intact.
Thats fascinating that somebody back then would pay such a lot of money to own it, they must have been very well to do.
Well i found out that Dickinsons real deal is coming to peterborough at the weekend so i sent some photos over to them and they are keen for us to bring it down there so that should be interesting.
Will be sad to see it go but it doesnt really fit in with any of our houses and hopefully it will make a decent amount.

Cheers.

chipp1968 · 4th Mar 2009, 9:43 am

It really would make best amount sold at a specialist auction for just this sort of thing . That would be my advise .I think Bonhams do one .Also the BVWS have regular auctions .
In a standard auction alongside bits of old pots and teddys may not bring in the interested partys

dave walsh · 4th Mar 2009, 12:56 pm

Chipp is right Terry. Go carefully. If you want to be on Telly at least get an idea from the specialists and have a good reserve price in place to make sure you are not undersold! You are likely to get more from a specialist international sale. Mr Dickinsons catch phrase is "Cheap as Chips!" after all [sorry about that Chipp

]. Dave W

rstel10 · 4th Mar 2009, 1:38 pm

Yes i see what you are saying, probably best not to rush into it, i have looked into Bonhams giving a valuation, hopefully i will hear back soon.

Terry.

1st Mar 2009, 5:25 pm	#1
rstel10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Peterborough Posts: 5	Sterling Cabinet-info Hi all, I have a sterling telephone cabinet which i was hoping you guys could give me some info on, these are some photos(hope they work) I will add more detail soon but i must dash as my son is screaming downstairs Many Thanks Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 1st Mar 2009 at 6:50 pm. Reason: Embedded images converted t othumbnails.

1st Mar 2009, 6:42 pm	#2
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Interesting No 10. I thought you were completely confused at first, until I saw the logo. You seem to be in the wrong section as this appears not to be a telephone but the Mods will decide on that. Maybe the Telephone Co had branched out into Radio, circa the late twenties/early 30's? There is a model No there but I can't read it-might help. I'm sure the period experts will be able to advise you much more accurately depending on whether you want technical info or a valuation [which can often be much more difficult]. Seems a bit unusual anyway! We'd be interested to know how it's turned up? Dave W Last edited by dave walsh; 1st Mar 2009 at 6:48 pm.

1st Mar 2009, 6:48 pm	#3
michamoo Hexode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 469	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info I have a crystal set by this manufacturer and the knobs look the same. My set dates from the 1920s and also had plug in coils just like the one in the picture.

1st Mar 2009, 7:03 pm	#4
rstel10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Peterborough Posts: 5	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Thanks for the info guys, I believe it came from my grandmother originally, who gave it to my father. I can remember it being in our living room from probably the age of 6 or 7 (1988-1989), without going into too much life history, my mother and father separated and it stayed with him, and unfortunately he died in 2005, it was only when clearing his house we found the radio/telephone equipment in the top bit of it. since 2005 it has been stored at my brothers father in laws. The photos are from my brother so i will see if he has one of the model number etc. Thanks again

1st Mar 2009, 7:08 pm	#5
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Yes, Sterling were a major manufacturer of receivers in the early broadcast days, and this one is among their more elaborate models from 1924 or thereabouts. I have a two-valve set of very similar panel style - I think yours, like mine, will have been a part of their 'Anodion' range. The company was taken over by Marconiphone in 1925, when so far as I know the Sterling name ceased to be used. Paul

1st Mar 2009, 7:25 pm	#6
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Could be the Sterling Regina type 1618 as shown in Radio! Radio! page 76, fig. 125, should have a Lumiere pleated speaker, Nice! Regards, Mick. Attached Thumbnails

1st Mar 2009, 9:03 pm	#7
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Wow , thats a rarther special thing ! Does it have a speaker built in ? Its not the same as the cabinet with the pleated speaker

2nd Mar 2009, 12:07 am	#8
rstel10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Peterborough Posts: 5	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info I am not aware of it having a speaker but it may well have I suppose. My grandmother always had some interesting radio things, it makes me cringe to remember the things we broke up and burned but you live and learn I guess. I think it is slightly different to the one in the pic but very similar. Paul you say it is an elaborate one, where abouts do think it would have come in the scale of radios of that time? I guess what I am getting at is what type of person would have bought it originally. here are a few more pics. Once again thanks for all the info and interest. Terry. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 2nd Mar 2009 at 6:12 pm. Reason: Embedded images converted to thumbnails.

2nd Mar 2009, 6:28 pm	#9
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Photos are interesting Terry but the blurred Type No is on the other side. Re the Speaker, do you mean that there is nothing at all in the cabinet now? As Mick suggests, it does look like the Regina with the doors concealing that feature. As for the Type of owners, I guess only people with a fair amount to lay out would have afforded a cabinet set with LS output in the period indicated. You could have had a decent motor or a house] for £65 Guinea's or thereabouts. Cheers Dave W Last edited by dave walsh; 2nd Mar 2009 at 6:34 pm.

2nd Mar 2009, 6:37 pm	#10
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Hello Terry, It'll be interesting to see what is or was behind the large doors at the front: a speaker seems the obvious item, a cabinet of those proportions wouldn't normally have been made just to house a radio panel at the top. The set does look distinctly to resemble the Regina, and that model's price of £63 would have placed it among the most expensive radios of its day, completely out of reach to all but a few prospective buyers. Radio itself was a novelty, broadcasting having started only a couple of years earlier. The total number of receiving licenses only passed a million toward the end of 1924, and an overwhelming majority of licenses would have been for crystal sets and simple one-and two-valvers. Paul

3rd Mar 2009, 9:36 am	#11
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info In other words the original owner would have been very well off indeed ! Looking at it again it does look the same cabinet as the pic, I was mistaken by the lid being up thinking it was an upper front panal on yours .What is behind the front doors . If there is a speaker which seams quite possible it will be the pleated one shown in pic or will be a horn speaker like on a gramophone ,built in .

4th Mar 2009, 12:22 am	#12
rstel10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Peterborough Posts: 5	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Hi Guys, I have a few more pics, and this time you can see the model number, its a type 1619, i am not sure what the difference is between the 1618 and this one. the handles look different but thats all i can tell. I have never known the cabinet to have a speaker in it, it has always just been used as a cupboard, if i remember right there is a shelf behind the doors but thats it. Its a shame its not all intact. Thats fascinating that somebody back then would pay such a lot of money to own it, they must have been very well to do. Well i found out that Dickinsons real deal is coming to peterborough at the weekend so i sent some photos over to them and they are keen for us to bring it down there so that should be interesting. Will be sad to see it go but it doesnt really fit in with any of our houses and hopefully it will make a decent amount. Cheers. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by arjoll; 4th Mar 2009 at 4:34 am. Reason: Thumbnail embedded images.

4th Mar 2009, 9:43 am	#13
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info It really would make best amount sold at a specialist auction for just this sort of thing . That would be my advise .I think Bonhams do one .Also the BVWS have regular auctions . In a standard auction alongside bits of old pots and teddys may not bring in the interested partys

4th Mar 2009, 12:56 pm	#14
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Chipp is right Terry. Go carefully. If you want to be on Telly at least get an idea from the specialists and have a good reserve price in place to make sure you are not undersold! You are likely to get more from a specialist international sale. Mr Dickinsons catch phrase is "Cheap as Chips!" after all [sorry about that Chipp]. Dave W Last edited by dave walsh; 4th Mar 2009 at 1:05 pm.

4th Mar 2009, 1:38 pm	#15
rstel10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Peterborough Posts: 5	Re: Sterling Cabinet-info Yes i see what you are saying, probably best not to rush into it, i have looked into Bonhams giving a valuation, hopefully i will hear back soon. Terry.