GRIDIRION Empire NFL Football Figural Radio 1940s RARE! Start Price GBP 224.95 Current Price GBP 224.95 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price GBP 249.95 Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 End Time Sunday, September 14, 2008 Location Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kent. See more about 'GRIDIRION Empire NFL Football Figural Radio 1940s RARE!' Description   UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY!   As another NFL season starts to a great fanfare, surely there is an ex-player, a player, a coach, a sports-room, or an owner of a famous football team who could happily find a special place for this incredibly scarce 'Gridiron' holy grail?   FROM ONE OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTIONS OF VINTAGE / ANTIQUE RADIOS EVER PUT TOGETHER!   Extremely hard-to-find and sought-after figural radio manufactured by Empire of 8th Street, Amarillo, Texas (patent: 145800), in the form of an pigskin covered 7-lace American football displayed on a plinth. This is an authentic factory production, dating from around 1947. It is not a make-up, nor a reproduction, nor a copy - guaranteed.   It is in generally good cosmetic condition. The front of the football is in excellent condition, and may well have been repainted (it's hard to say), whilst the rear has areas where the paint has flaked and is almost definitely the original finish.   The front 'Gridiron Radio' decal on the ivory coloured base is somewhat worn, whilst the rear decal is above average. The pinwheel knobs are original and the 'laces' appear as they should be. There are no splits or breaks, no warpage, nor discolouration. The insides are clean and appear to be complete. It has its original plug, and aerial, which is somewhat brittle, as is the original power cord. It thus comes with no guarantees (see caveat below).   Whilst a refinish would be your call, it does present very well.   Please note: the 'blotches' are merely from damp fingers, as images were taken in between rain showers.    Weight - 4.7kgs / 10.5lbs. Dimensions 14"W x 9.5"H. The football is about 7.5" wide.   I have only seen three examples offered on eBay in over ten years (this was one of them, bought way back in 1999). I know of no other examples gracing European collections. I listed this on US eBay to close during Superbowl XLI in 2007, at a considerably higher price. The book value is up around $750, so take advantage of the current wobbles in Sterling.   I may well alter/add the category of this listing at any stage.     A great and unusual find in the UK....         Payment please within 4 days by PayPal, or (preferred) by Sterling denominated cheque, to arrive with 7 days. An electronic transfer would also be a preferred option from Overseas. Other payment methods may be possible with the seller's discretion. I am not a technician, and cannot guarantee completeness, nor the finest details. Kindly closely study the images and the description, and ask questions should you need to. I can send higher resolution images if required. New images are normally just a click or two away, so just send me an email address. Please look at my other auctions. There are are lots of bits and pieces. I plan to selectively list more vintage radios, and radio-related items, over the next few months....     You might like to look at some of my other listings, including on my other ID..... international.vintage.wireless.exchange     I will happily combine shipping if appropriate... and collection from Tunbridge Wells would be welcomed.         + UK (2/3 day - DHL - Tracked) - £10.50 +  - BARGAIN - often overnight in practice -   Guaranteed Overnight - Add £3      Most of Europe* (DHL - Tracked)- £26     (*Austria, Belgium, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden)   USA (Fedex Priority, tracked, often overnight) - £48 Oz/Japan  (Fedex Priority, tracked) - £69   Rest of the World - Check before bidding please         CAVEAT: I do not 'mess' with my radios, and leave them just as they were when I acquired them as a very discerning collector. Most of my radios actually have not been played about with at all!  Under UK law, whilst most will work with little effort, I am not a technician, and working condition of my vintage radios dutifully comes with no assurances nor guarantees. Thus, before attempting to plug into the mains, ALL electrical items must be checked over by somebody qualified to do so.     ********   Please bookmark my seller page, and have a look over the next few days for some great offers... even on other eBay sites! Look at eBay US, Spain, Italy and Australia... Many of my listings are offered on other forums and/or privately.   Circumstances might change.   All my auctions/offers may thus be adjusted at any time.     Place a Bid!