Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Retro-Wednesday.....








See the radio in the top pic?
It's a Philco Model 48-1256.
It became known as General Marshall's Radio because it was one of only two radios that he kept in his home.
General George C. Marshall lived from 1880-1959. He was Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of State, and the 3rd Secretary of Defense.
Winston Churchill called him the "Organizer of Victory" for the Allies in WWII. The plan for reorganizing Post War Europe was called The Marshall Plan...After him!
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. On a short list of greatest American Military leaders....he is ALWAYS on it. He lived in Leesburg Virginia, and you can tour his home now.
The radio is no longer at the Leesburg Estate because on my last visit to Virginia, I carted it sight unseen right out the back door. The radio now resides in Flint Michigan in my family room!
The top opens up and is a record player as well.
Of course the record player still works...
Of course the radio still works...
Of course I didn't steal it...Mines in better shape!
Although you would never know it due to my piss-poor photography!
This is one of the few items that I'll NEVER sell...
It's a beautiful piece of furniture!
Peace...!!!

23 comments:

Brian Miller said...

very cool. even better that it still works...i remember sitting by the radio as a kids listening to the star wars radio play...

Anonymous said...

Where's the crank to start it? LOL Cool information and your pictures are awesome :)

Serena said...

You have the coolest stuff!;)

lime said...

that is a handsome radio if ever i saw one. one of the FEW items you'd never sell? i think you have a museum's worht of stuff!

secret agent woman said...

That's a very cool-looking radio.

listen for azure said...

I have quite the collection of old radios - one like this would be a prized possession indeed!

Susan at Stony River said...

Lucky you! That's gorgeous.
I love how you tied it in with history.

the walking man said...

I think you should send me that radio as a part of the Galen plan to improve Detroit.

forever lost said...

love history! Love touring old places and thinking of the life that went on there...

Please take a minute to run over to my niece's blog and welcome her! She is gonna have some stories especially for the 55!
thanks

forever lost said...

whoops LOL! unless you go to my blog first you wont know how to get there LOL
Mr G-Man and friends please welcome http://gaydengirl.blogspot.com
Kathy, my niece!

Nessa said...

That is so neat. Soon no one will even know what a record player was.

Wordless Wednesday - Now That's Scary

Mona said...

Galen Museum comes in phases again!

Love the radio!

Dulçe ♥ said...

Another relic of the past...

Akelamalu said...

It must be fantastic to own such a piece of history G-man! :)

Maude Lynn said...

I was totally believing that you stole it . . .

Monkey Man said...

There is quite a stash of old radios in our home too...if I could only find them hidden among the boxes in our storage areaa we call a garage.

Lynn said...

It *is* beautiful! And it works?

Lou said...

You said Philco..hee,hee

Patrick said...

I may just have to scoot out there this weekend to see if that radio is really still in the house...mid sixties and sunny this Sunday. 8-p

forever lost said...

OK well here is her link...she didnt like the other cause it had too much info in her title LOL,

http://katexpat.blogspot.com/

Please welcome her to blog land ya'll!
(now I will go ask you to be my friend)

Fireblossom said...

Cool! Put it on CKLW the Big 8. I want to listen to 20-20 news!

Lulda Casadaga said...

I guess I'll have to hook up with Patrick and take a trip to Leesburg and see if that radio is still there too! :D I live really close and never knew about this place...thanks g for the history lesson!

buffalodick said...

I wish I had my Grandpa's old floor Philco! Listened to a lot of Tiger games on that one!