This is a super cool virtually brand new looking late 1930s Detrola model 208 vintage tube radio. Detrola Radio and Television Corporation was a Detroit-based company founded in 1931. At its height in the 1930s, it claimed to be the sixth-largest radio manufacturer in the U.S. This pre-war 208 is a "midget-style" tabletop radio with art deco styling and dark brownish black Bakelite with a casing that uses subtle and elegant art deco style elements - like the unique sweeping lines of the horizontal speaker grill, and classy original bullet knobs. It has a small 9" wide by 7" tall by 5" deep footprint, making it easy to fit in virtually any space.


The 208 used a simpler Tuned Radio Frequency (TRF) receiver circuit, unlike the more common superheterodyne circuits used in later radios like Detrola's own Model 283, but I had no trouble picking up most of my local stations by extending the wound length of antenna wire. It has that surprisingly large vintage sound I had almost forgotten.


The company's success was relatively short-lived. Following World War II, Detrola struggled to compete with larger manufacturers in the rapidly evolving market. In 1948, the company ceased all manufacturing.

If you're looking for something that represents a bit of an upgrade from most of the bakelite sets you find on eBay, this may be it! Please take a moment to review the pictures included with this listing, as they are considered part of the description, and should be used to form your own assessment of condition. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out any time!