general-mo: 985775; Pocket Portable

Hi,

I am puzzled as to why the G.M. model 985775 portable radio bears the G.M.label.  According to the Museum G.M. radios were not produced after about 1933.  There are no other G.M. radios in the museum records after 1933.  The 985775 model was made in 1941. Did some other manufacturer produce the radio for General Motors?  If not, why did the G.M. label resurface in 1941 and disappear afterward?

I just missed a 985775 on eBay (had a loosing bid).  It went for $565.00, which seems very high for a prewar portable.  Any thoughts on why it's so expensive?

Thanks,

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It only needs two people with deep pockets wanting to "complete" a 1940/1941 Personal Radio collection!

The very similar appearance Marconi P17B usually gets x3 to x5 sale price of the actually near indentical insides Ever Ready Personal B (both 1947). The Romac 106 and related  usually sells for more (nearly $300) as the 1946 Romac Personal 106 is the first UK Personal due to the War (which was 1939 in Europe for UK but as early as 1933 for some people!).  Why does the P17B get up  to x5 as much? Shiny Chrome and featured not only in Radio! Radio! but a UK Schools GCSE module as example of an Art Deco Radio (which is wierd as it's not Art Deco or 1930s, really hardly any UK stuff is true "Art Deco", maybe some decorated 1920s horn speakers).

Perhaps because GM wasn't making Radios then and it's shiny? One sale isn't representative. I would pick not even an average of all sale prices but an average of prices for 75% of sales as representative as there are always a few unusually low or high prices.

See the thread about BP10 and other Personal Radios of 1940 & 1941.

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