Focusing on the design of pocket transistor radios manufactured during the 1950's & 1960's!

by James J Butters

Me...


 
 
Contact me at esquire10@rocketmail.com
 
Note; all the photography on this site was shot by me on my crappy little digital camera. Please don't infringe upon my intellectual property rights by taking my photos for your own personal use or gain (as in auction site listings). It takes an enormous amount of time and energy to get the best photos out of those finicky little things!
 
I'm a Father, a First Response Unit in the New Zealand Police, a fitness fanatic, a former two time Asia Pacific Bodybuilding Champion, a fighter and a member of the IHIQS.
 
I've been hooked on vintage transistor radios since I purchased my first one on Christmas eve of 2006. It was a beautiful red Regency TR-1 that caught my eye that day. What a great radio to start a collection with! I'm fascinated by their history, incredible atomic age design and portability.
 
The social impact of the transistor radio during the 1950's and 1960's cannot be underestimated and the slogan on my homepage "A portable revolution in your shirt pocket" sums up nicely the relationship between teenagers of this era and the transistor radio. 
 
During the past 18 months I have read and referenced over 20 collectors books and filled the office with around 200 radios. Ninety percent of my collection thus far has come via auction site eBay in the USA with the odd treasure found locally. At any one time over 4000 vintage transistor radios can be found listed on eBay and this is a reflection of their increased popularity and availability to collectors.