Emerson 520 Bakelite Table Radio, Brown

The Emerson 520 came out in 1947 and was marketed as a bedroom radio — small enough for a nightstand, designed to look good while doing it. The brown Bakelite cabinet is the color of strong coffee with a hint of amber when the light catches it, and the gold-leaf dial markings are completely intact: WCBS, WNEW, WOR, the station names of a New York that no longer exists printed right there on the glass. Joel has not attempted to restore the electronics; the cap-and-resistor board would need significant work and it’s honestly more beautiful as an object than as a receiver. Plug for display only.