RICHARD RODGERS
MEDINA, OHIO
USA

Go to Richard's Radio Attic

I became a passionate collector of antique radios after meeting a wonderful gentleman with an enormous collection that filled his entire home. From that moment, I was bitten by the bug and likely owned more than 1,200 sets over the past 25+ years. I quickly learned to refine my collecting tastes rather than buying every radio that was for sale!

I'm especially attracted to wood radios from the Golden Age of Radio, the 1930's. I appreciate the spectacular cabinet designs with intricate wood veneers produced at a time when Americans depended on radio as their daily source of news and entertainment. My interests also includes radios from the late 1920's, post-WWII sets and even transistor radios. I often think about the families who owned and listened to these treasured household possessions. In this age of disposable consumer electronics, it's remarkable any have survived.

I've traveled thousands of miles to track down specific radios for my collection. Ironically, one of the rarer models I "hunted" for, a Zenith 835, was discovered less than two miles from where I lived. Whenever possible, I sought radios in near perfect original cosmetic condition but that wasn't always possible with some rare sets. I believe it's far more important to acquire radios you like rather than ones others consider rare and highly desirable. Realizing this is an enjoyable hobby and not a business venture, I was never too concerned about paying a little too much for a radio I really appreciated.

Unlike most collectors, I have little interest in performing electronic restorations and prefer to outsource that effort to those with far more technical expertise, specialized parts and tools. Instead, I've enjoyed learning about the history of radio manufacturers, their marketing practices, the evolution of design and consumer demand. Although I don't have supporting data, I believe the consumer adoption rate of radios during the 1930's exceeded any other electronic product including television and cellular telephones.

If you become an avid collector, consider joining an antique radio club to meet other enthusiasts. I've been a member of Ohio and Georgia clubs and was President of the Southeastern Antique Radio Society for several years.

Below are photos from part of my dedicated radio display room containing approximately 200 sets. Now it's time to start downsizing the remainder of my collection and giving others a chance to enjoy these remarkable pieces of history. You are welcome to personally tour my collection and inspect the radios I sell if you're in the Northeast Ohio area.