Linguaphone

Linguaphone Corso D’Italiano
made in England 1954

This fantastic vinyl case holds an Italian language course – with 50 ‘Lezione’ on 45 RPM records, and various student books – such as “Vocabularies and Text of Sound Record” and the like. The books are published by Linguaphone Institute Ltd, in London by The Woodbridge Press.

There’s a “Reading Book” in Italian, “Students Instructions”, and “Explanatory Notes”- all supporting the lessons on the records. The illustrations in the books are pure 50s- as are the pictures on the records [I confess that I bought this set on the drawings alone. And the vinyl case is totally funky.]

The case has never been opened [until now!]- the records are unused and the books unread. A 50s course in Italiano awaits you! Classic Italian sentences that will assist your next trip to Italy such as : “Do you have a light”? and “Have you seen Sophia Loren in ‘It Started in Naples’?”

The Linguaphone- unused, is in excellent vintage condition, and is for sale: $AU55

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Jetset- jet….- set….

Jetset solid state radio & phonograph
made in Japan 1969

The radio and phonograph work on this portable turntable, which has the standard 33 and 45 settings, but I suspect a new stylus would improve the sound quality substantially. I like the way the phonograph arm is recessed into the body of the player, you can just see the round metal section that houses the needle, to the middle right of the housing. How good would it be to take it on a picnic and play some old vinyl?

The Jetset runs on mains power – or- takes 4 x c size batteries- it is good to go, or on the go.

The aluminium knobs are a little scuffed- probably from 40 years of use, but other than that, this lovely orange portable radio/turntable is good to go.  For sale: $AUD95

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Bakewells canister

Bakewells ‘Flour’ canister,
made in Sydney, Australia 1930s

This is a fabulous- and large- ceramic canister from the 30s. Originally from a set of five- Flour, Sugar, Rice, Sago and Tea – this canister is missing its lid. Hence, it is acting as a vase.

How art deco is the ‘flour’ font? The set was produced in the 30s so was a little late for art deco : but I like the play on words: Flour/Flower.

The canister is made from earthenware, and the sets also came in blue, yellow and white. It’s incredibly rare to find an intact set of five – but – should anyone have the flour lid- I have the flour canister!

Cassette tapes

TEAC C90 cassette tapes
made in Australia 1970s

This collection is a ‘new’ box of ten TEAC cassette tapes- all still individually wrapped in cellophane. I bought the box of cassettes for the wonderful graphics on the box itself and the cassettes. I had no idea of the amount of interest in unused cassettes- there are entire websites devoted to the history, collection and idolisation of cassette tapes!

TEAC is the Tokyo Electro Acoustic Company; it started production in 1956 in Tokyo, and in 1978 an Australian arm of the company commenced. TEAC is still producing audio equipment and tapes [now magnetic tape] in a number of countries.

Each tape runs for 90 minutes [hence the C90] – so now all you need is a TEAC cassette recorder/player. I’m looking out for one too.

The box of cassettes is for sale: $AUD25

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Superstar!

Superstar TCR-1001
made in Hong Kong 1985

Hankering for a 4.5 inch analogue TV, AM/FM radio and LCD clock all in one convenient ensemble? Well, look no further. The TCR [TV, Clock, Radio] is for you.

This tiny, all-in-one unit [compare to the size of kewpie doll!] has it all. Sure, the analogue TV is only good for sound, not visuals – since the whole world has gone digital- but the radio and the clock work a treat. And a bit of a tweak by a technowizard will have that TV playing again. And it will totally fit on your bedside table.

See the review of this piece on www.radiomuseum.org – and attest for yourself the advantages of a 3 in 1 [circa 1985.] It runs on both AC/DC and batteries- you can take this baby anywhere.

The 3 in 1 is for sale; $AUD95

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60s shot glasses

Shot glasses, made in Australia 1960s
H G Palmer radiogram station indicator, made in Sydney 1960s

Ah the 60s. Life was simpler then. Shot glasses had atomic symbols and you tuned the radiogram by your state. That’s state you live in, not the state you ARE in.

This set of shot glasses would once have been six- but alas no more. I think the three remaining glasses are lovely- and set off nicely with the H G Palmer radiogram indicator. The rest of the radiogram is also AWOL, but the group work well together.

Start your transition to the 60s – or- augment your 60s collection ;  this set is for sale: $AUD45

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Princess radio / phonogram

Princess portable AM radio & phonograph, model # RPH-210
runs from mains AC 240 volt and takes 4 x c size batteries; takes a ‘diamond’ needle

I am unsure where this machine was made, and in what year – but someone out there will know. The housing is made from timber, and all the working parts are steel. The radio dial is a funky, transparent plastic and will find an AM station from 5-16!

The sound quality is a little tinny – as the speakers are housed in the body of the system and the machine needs a new stylus. It can handle both 33 and 45 records, and while the battery housing has lost its little cover the rest of the machine in good working order.

I bought the ‘Princess’ soon after the ‘Jetset’ [see post – way, way below] because the appeal of playing vinyl, anywhere – at a picnic in the park for example- appealed to me. I have collected vinyl [records, that is] from when it wasn’t considered collecting and playing my old records is  both joyous and hilarious. Always good for a laugh!

For sale: $AUD75

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Jetset

Jetset solid state radio & phonograph
Runs from the mains & takes 4 x c size batteries
Made in Japan c.1969

The radio and phonograph work on this portable turntable, which has the standard 33 and 45 settings, but I suspect a new stylus would improve the sound quality substantially. I like the way the phonograph arm is recessed into the body of the player, you can just see the round metal section that houses the needle, to the middle right of the housing. How good would it be to take it on a picnic and play some old vinyl?

The aluminium knobs are a little scuffed- probably from 40 years of use, but other than that, this lovely orange portable radio/turntable is good to go.  For sale: $AUD95

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