unknown: ROBERTS RADIO Co. 'Little Jewel'

Hallo all

 

I have a set which is marked “Little Jewel” with a manufacturer’s name of either J or I ROBERTS RADIO COMPANY. It also has a distinctive logo, please see the picture on the model page.

 

The set is missing its case, the remains comprise of a glass front panel to which the components are mounted on the rear. It is a simple battery set using one valve, 1G6 double triode. The first triode is used as a simple regenerative stage, & the second as an audio stage. The set was presumably used with headphones, & dry batteries.

I have been unable to find any information about either the set or the manufacturer. I would be very grateful if any members are able to provide any information.

Thanks

I have received the below e-mail about this set.

 

Hello Keith,

 

Maitiu Standun of rmorg (which I've yet to get around to joining) has drawn my attention to your question about this little set, as he's a member of an online Roberts Radio group I started. As you've probably guessed, the set has nothing to do with Roberts Radio Ltd: in fact it's a home-constructor kit from the late '50s. I saw one about ten years ago in the local auction here, and traced it then to a Practical Wireless ad from Concord Electronics of Brighton in February '57. Oddly it's referred to in the ad as the "Skyroma", but plainly badged and built just as yours from the accompanying photo.

 

Here's the Concord scan, and you're very welcome to post it and/or my email. I seem to remember the set I saw at auction sold remarkably well, almost certainly on the strength of the widespread opinion that any Roberts radio is collectable and the particular deduction that this one, being an odd little thing, must be far more collectable than most. Whether I./J. Roberts became Concord Electronics or Concord just happened to take over a stock of parts that had been previously marketed by another enterprise, I suspect we'll never know.

 

Regards,

Paul

 

Subsequently I have found another advert in Practical Wireless dated September 1954. This advert is from Brighton Radio Co, but has the same address as Concord. This advert makes no mention of a model name or manufacturer, however from the picture & description there can be little doubt they are the same. One discrepancy is that the adverts all claim the set works on both MW & LW bands. I have examined the Little Jewell and found that it does have an RF coil with taps for both bands. However there is no band switch, or provision for a switch on the front panel. The picture of the set in the advert also shows an absence of a switch.

 

I have attached a scan of an advert.

Regards

Keith