RCA Victor Clock Radio (Telechron Movement)
Decorative Art / Mid-Century Industrial Design • RCA Victor (Radio Corporation of America) in partnership with Telechron (General Electric company)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Streamline Moderne influence
Medium & Technique
Bakelite or plastic housing, gold-tone metal bezel, glass cover, and internal mechanical/electrical components including a Telechron electric motor.
Creation Period
Circa 1950s (Post-War Era)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 7 x 9 x 4 inches; rectangular landscape orientation with a convex clock face.
Subject Description
An electric tabletop clock radio featuring a central gold-rimmed clock face with the Telechron branding. The housing is a neutral beige/cream color with raised metallic 'RCA Victor' branding on the left and stylized numeric digits (1 through 12) arranged in a circular formation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the housing shows visible surface wear, scratching on the right edge, and grime accumulation typical of age.
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $120 (depending on functional state)
Auction Estimate
$30 - $75
Provenance History
Likely a mass-produced consumer electronic item from the United States; currently appears in a thrift or estate sale environment based on surrounding context like the yellow tag.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the integration of utility and aesthetics in 20th-century industrial design, where home appliances became decorative fixtures of the modern American household. Telechron clocks were pioneers in synchronous electric timekeeping.
Notable Features
Includes the 'Telechron' mark on the dial, a synonymous brand with high-quality electric clocks of the era, and the iconic raised 'RCA Victor' typographic logo.
Condition Issues
Surface scuffing, minor paint loss on the housing edges, potential internal oxidation of electrical components, and unknown functionality of the vacuum tubes or radio receiver.
Conservation Recommendations
Non-abrasive cleaning of the exterior; internal electrical inspection by a specialist before powering on to avoid fire risk; storage in a low-humidity environment to prevent corrosion.