Philco model 37-1 Antique Radio

This antique radio is a Philco model 37-1.

It, too, is a family heirloom. It belonged to my grandmother and was used by my Dad and his siblings while growing up in Philadelphia. They use to tell me stories about when they were kids listening to "Dick Tracy" or the "Green Hornet" or Superman" on it.

My grandfather would listen to it during WWII days and get the information via short wave radio about his home in Italy. My grandmother was throwing it out back in the 60's and I rescued it from oblivion. I cleaned it up and sent the electronics off to be repaired. It too holds a prominent place in my living room today.

Stromberg-Carlsen Majestic Antique Cathedral-back Telephone

I first became intrigued with wooden box type phones when I was a small child. Lassie (the TV show) was one of my favorites as a child and a wooden phone was used in their TV kitchen. One afternoon when I was 7 or 8 yrs old, my dad and mom took my sister and me for a walk in the woods.

We came across an old building that was boarded up. Peeking in the window I remember seeing a desk with papers on it, some writing materials and an old lamp. Then I saw it. It was the Stromberg-Carlsen Majestic Antique Cathedral-back Telephone.

Ever since that day back in the early 1960's I often thought about that phone. One day while assigned out in California, I was attending an antique show in nearby Reno, Nevada. When I walked in, there it was. I paid $125 for it. I cleaned it up, sent it off to the restorer for the electrical components and it is now in my home in NJ waiting for me to find a sturdy enough wall to hang it on. It weighs aroung 40 pounds.

Western Electric Model 300 Antique Telephone

The Western Electric Model 300 Antique Telephone is a real family heirloom. It was my Dad's and was originally built in 1938. The best I
can trace it to is the late 1930's. It was first used in my grandfathers
wholesale fruit and produce store on Dock St. in Philadelphia. It made
its way, along with my dad, to NJ and eventually ended up as a
downstairs phone on his work bench. I remember my dad very well talking
on this phone when he was working in the basement. I took possession of
the phone after my dads death. It was in bad condition so I sent it off
to telephone restorer. The photo is how it looks now. As it sits on my
desk I often stare at it and think of all the times my dad held it in his hands.

Mike Lopergolo’s Guide to Purchasing Antiques

“Look” for the Smell of the Antique Dealer Shop
When I go looking for antiques the first thing I check for is the smell of the building. If I walk into an antique dealer’s store and catch a whiff of potpourri, I’ll turn around and walk out. Potpourri, at least to me, indicates crafts, and other handiwork that I’m not interested in.

A “real” antique dealer’s shop has a strong musty smell, something similar to an old attic, or damp basement or a barn. This is my first indication that the place may have something that interests me.

Gather Information Before Committing to Buy Antiques
Once my interest is captured, I do a quick scan of the entire building. I may go from room to room if there are several antique displays or if one large open area exists, I’ll stand in the center and look outward toward all four walls. I tend to focus on the things that I like to collect such as antique telephones, antique radios, small antique furniture pieces, antique stereopticons as well as antique photographs and Victrola’s.

Once I find an antique that interests me, I’ll simultaneously conduct a price and quality check. If the item is in my price range I’ll start to look at the quality of the wood (if it is wood), the finish, the joint construction, original hardware, original glass (if it has any). If all these are in good shape and the price is right, I’ll purchase it and take it home.


Buy the Antique, Don’t Wait
Sometimes I may wait a day or two if the price is not equal to the quality of the item. Oftentimes, however, my wait-and-see approach does not pan out: sometimes the item is gone if I decide to return to the antique shop to purchase it. My advice, then: the time to buy an antique is when you see it, because chances are it won’ be there tomorrow.