Magnificent 1932 Atwater Kent Model 480 Radio, Restored, Looks & Sounds Great!

Description

Years ago I got a call from a fellow up in northern Maine who’d heard that I collected old radios. He had one in his home that had been passed down from his grandfather, who had been the caretaker of a grand cottage on a lake up there that belonged to an affluent family from Boston. At some point in the late 1930’s the family had brought a new radio for their cottage and generously gave their old one – this one – to the caretaker, who used it for another 20 years or so. Well, I drove up to take a look and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it – it was just pristine. Not to mention beautiful.
And this is it: An Atwater Kent model 480, a 10-tube console from 1932. It was Atwater Kent’s first radio to cover the full range of shortwave bands – and it covers them very well, with clarity, volume and sensitivity – but first you have to get past that stunning, ornately detailed cabinet, which measures 41”h x 25”w x 14.5”d.
Even the chassis, as you can see, is a work of art, and that large speaker is just phenomenal. But probably the most interesting feature of this set is what was, in the day, known as “tone beam” tuning: that long, narrow vertical shaft below the dial and in between the two lower knobs, it’s a neon tube that lights up bright orange when you close in on a strong signal. Or is supposed to, anyway – I’d never seen one that worked. Until, that is, I found this set. This one works beautifully.
Since I first found it this set has undergone a meticulous electronic restoration, and works just as good as it did in the showroom in 1932. I have listened to it virtually every day in my living room ever since, and it never failed to draw the attention and admiration of visitors. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of space, so I’ve decided to pass it on to another discerning collector who will appreciate it’s beauty, its rarity and its performance as I have. If you’ve always wanted one of these but never thought you’d find one, this is your lucky day. You will look long and hard before finding another, and I can tell you it won’t be as nice as this one. Best of all, I am offering it here with NO RESERVE – high bidder takes it!
PLEASE NOTE: This radio is located in Wiscasset, Maine, and can be picked up there. For a fee, I might be able to deliver it to the UPS store in Brunswick, Maine, or to Portland, Maine, either to you or to someone who will pack it up and ship it at your expense, but if you intend to do this, you must contact me BEFORE you bid so we can discuss the delivery fee. Similarly, if you intend to bid but do not intend to come pick it up in Maine within a week or two of the auction's close, you must notify me of this BEFORE you bid so we can discuss options and delivery fees; the earlier, the better. Payment must be received BEFORE pickup or delivery is scheduled. I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone with excessive negative feedback or an otherwise suspicious history. Payment is due within three (3) days of the auction's close. Due to its age I am selling this unit without any warranty. All sales are final.
Be sure to see all the pictures! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but please try to ask as early as possible, as it sometimes takes me a while to get to my email. Please see my other listings,
as I am running out of space and am thinning out my collection considerably.
I am listing other fine radios, phonographs, and vintage items this week, and will be listing even more in the weeks and months to come, so please keep checking. Thanks for looking! Good luck, and happy bidding!