1937 EXTREMELY RARE MANTOLA 5Z
Product CodeMANT5Z
Product ConditionUsed
$1,200.00 inc. tax
1937 EXTREMELY RARE MANTOLA 5Z Summary
Another rare gem offered to you by the Radio-Cafe is this next to impossible Superhet powered transformer set to find by Mantola, especially in this restored museum quality condition. This early 1937 Mantola known as the DU-ETTE, model 5Z ivory plaskon (not painted) example is in gorgeous condition and fully restored inside & out!
The set alone in any condition is very difficult to find as most are missing the two solid copper grille plates and also have many hairline cracks in the plaskon cabinets. This example on the other hand is the best example I've ever seen, with no cracks or chips and it has both grille plates. You'd never know by the before pics and the condition it was in that it's the same radio in the 1st photo. I spent a month restoring this gem to its former glory and now it's simply a beautiful & elegant radio that would sit at the top shelf of any radio collection.
I've included many photos of the complete restoration detailing the steps in text on some of the photos. It basically was a barn find from New York that had probably sat for its last 40 years which was obvious from the condition it was in when I got it. This mini tombstone size set that is just 10.5" tall x 7" wide x 6" deep was designed AND advertised as the DU-ETTE because it could be displayed vertically as a mini tombstone (I prefer) or horizontally. Regardless of the small size it's solid and heavy due to the heavy duty field coil speaker and powered transformer, and weighs an incredible 10lbs!
The history starts with the R.P.C Chicago company(metal chassis tag) which eventually merged with Continental (C.R. & T.C.) and covered a wide spectrum of branded sets such as Admiral which is why you can find this as a 5AZ by Admiral. Mantola branded name sets were sold by BF Goodrich company just as other brands were offered to the public in different store outlets. Continental manufactured some of the nicest sets back then and have their stamp on many brands which was usually located on the bottom of the cabinet as C.R. & T.C. (Continental Radio & Television Corp). Once the name was officially changed to Admiral they maintained a huge market and ranked in the top 5 in sales during the 1930's.
Although this radio has been electronically restored to play for many years to come, keep in mind the heat the large tubes and powered transformer can produce so I wouldn't use it as a every day player and common sense is advised. Many plaskon sets have tube burn marks and cracks caused by the heat so obviously this sat a very long time without being played which in the end preserved it. SOLD
Thanks for looking! Jerry Waters - Owner of the Radio-Cafe
The set alone in any condition is very difficult to find as most are missing the two solid copper grille plates and also have many hairline cracks in the plaskon cabinets. This example on the other hand is the best example I've ever seen, with no cracks or chips and it has both grille plates. You'd never know by the before pics and the condition it was in that it's the same radio in the 1st photo. I spent a month restoring this gem to its former glory and now it's simply a beautiful & elegant radio that would sit at the top shelf of any radio collection.
I've included many photos of the complete restoration detailing the steps in text on some of the photos. It basically was a barn find from New York that had probably sat for its last 40 years which was obvious from the condition it was in when I got it. This mini tombstone size set that is just 10.5" tall x 7" wide x 6" deep was designed AND advertised as the DU-ETTE because it could be displayed vertically as a mini tombstone (I prefer) or horizontally. Regardless of the small size it's solid and heavy due to the heavy duty field coil speaker and powered transformer, and weighs an incredible 10lbs!
The history starts with the R.P.C Chicago company(metal chassis tag) which eventually merged with Continental (C.R. & T.C.) and covered a wide spectrum of branded sets such as Admiral which is why you can find this as a 5AZ by Admiral. Mantola branded name sets were sold by BF Goodrich company just as other brands were offered to the public in different store outlets. Continental manufactured some of the nicest sets back then and have their stamp on many brands which was usually located on the bottom of the cabinet as C.R. & T.C. (Continental Radio & Television Corp). Once the name was officially changed to Admiral they maintained a huge market and ranked in the top 5 in sales during the 1930's.
Although this radio has been electronically restored to play for many years to come, keep in mind the heat the large tubes and powered transformer can produce so I wouldn't use it as a every day player and common sense is advised. Many plaskon sets have tube burn marks and cracks caused by the heat so obviously this sat a very long time without being played which in the end preserved it. SOLD
Thanks for looking! Jerry Waters - Owner of the Radio-Cafe
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