Phonoland

My daughter posted this for me yesterday, but we realized today that it was posted in the wrong section of the board (sorry!), so we wanted to move the post and add pic pictures.

Yesterday, I aquired an Admiral AM/FM Tuner Hi-Fi. It is marked Admiral Stereophonic Imperial 80 model # Y1139 and the matching speaker model SS1139 serial # c364520. I am very interested in knowing the age and value, seems to work excellent, chasis in good to excellent condition. Appears to be maple casing, would appreciate any education that anyone has to offer. I believe that I have possibly identified it as a 1947 model, but uncertain. I'm very excited to own this neat piece of history!

Thanks!
Carla

It would probably date from from around 1960, since the unit, itself, would have been sold with the speaker (SS1139) which dates from that year. ( See -- http://www.stevenjohnson.com/photofacts/index-a.htm )

The dead giveaway that it's not from 1947 is the fact that it's stereophonic. Stereo phonographs & records did not hit the market until around 1957/1958 -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramophone_record

As has been noted in many posts on this forum -- such as: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4967 -- unless this has been regularly serviced throughout it's lifetime--up until the past few years--it's best not to play it, or even plug it in, until it has been inspected by a qualified technician. The reason for this is simple. In the 50+ years since it left the factory, it's very probable that at least some of the rubber coated wires and other electrical components have degraded to the point where they are no longer safe to hold an electric current. It only takes one uninsulated wire to spark and damage the unit, or start an electrical fire.

Once restored, it should provide many years of enjoyment.

As for a value, it looks to be in exceptional cosmetic condition. If you plan to sell it at auction, probably start with a nominal $50-100 starting bid, and see what the market brings. I'll caution, though, that depending on where you live, it may not command much attention, or much more than the minimum bid--if it sells at all.

HTH,
Joe

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post, Joe! Your information is really helpful. Although it was plugged in and paying when I made the purchase, I will definitely take your advice and have it inspected. I was super excited to find it in working order and definitely want to keep it that way.

I very much appreciate your comments on the value! I was concerned that I might have paid too much on my impulse purchase. I searched the internet and only found one picture of the same stereo on Yakaz; the pictures lead us to believe that the stereo was from 1947. Even with the stereo dated in the 60’s and your suggested valuation, I did ok.

Thanks again!!
Carla