01
Mid-Century Bakelite Styling
Flared outer shell in deep brown Bakelite framing a cream horizontal louvred speaker panel.
Curio Gallery
01 / 03
01 / 03Murphy 192 Bakelite Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 1
Highlights
Why this object
still matters.
The Murphy 192 is a post-war tabletop valve radio housed in a two-tone molded Bakelite cabinet with an integrated horizontal speaker grille design. Its illuminated central tuning window displays shortwave and mediumwave bands calibrated specifically for South Asian broadcast stations, including Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Lahore, and Ceylon. Three primary rotary control knobs govern volume, band selection, and frequency tuning across the front apron.
02
South Asian Station Dial
Markings feature regional broadcast hubs including Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Lahore, Dacca, and Ceylon.
03
Multi-Band Reception
Calibrated across two shortwave bands spanning 2.5 to 22 Mc/s and standard mediumwave transmission.
04
Symmetrical Three-Knob Control
Evenly spaced lower rotary dials operating power, volume, tone, and multi-band tuning.
05
Perforated Heat Dissipation Back
Factory-punched ventilation panel engineered to safely vent internal vacuum tube heat.
06
Integral Curved Pedestal Base
Molded angled feet raise the chassis to protect surfaces and project audio forward.
Specifications
The useful facts,
clearly recorded.
Measurements, construction, identity, and seller-supplied details are kept together for direct comparison.
Reviewed · Curio catalogue
Maker
Murphy Radio Ltd. (Welwyn Garden City, England)
Origin
United Kingdom
Year
1952
Department
audio
Packed shipment
5 kg · 45 × 32 × 30 cm
Manufacturer
Murphy Radio Ltd.
Model
Model 192 (TA 192 export series)
Cabinet material
Molded Bakelite and thermoset plastic
Tuning bands
Medium Wave (550–200 m) and Short Wave (2.5–22 Mc/s)
Control layout
Three rotary front knobs (Power/Volume, Tuning, Waveband)
Power supply
AC mains via rear entry cord (plug not fitted)
Details
Close inspection,
recorded in photographs.
Detail № 01 · Murphy 192 Bakelite Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 2
Detail № 02 · Murphy 192 Bakelite Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 3
Heritage
A traceable life,
carefully recorded.
Provenance documentation was not supplied for this specific Murphy 192 Bakelite Tabletop Tube Radio; this listing is based on the supplied photographs only.
Colonial & Post-Partition Airwaves
A Map of Mid-Century Broadcasting
The dial visible in the front photograph captures an era of post-war radio diplomacy, listing stations across Delhi, Lahore, Dacca, and Colombo that kept households across South Asia tuned to world events and music.
Industrial Craftsmanship
Bakelite Molding Mastery
The smooth profile shown in the side photograph highlights Murphy's transition toward aerodynamic modernism, using dense thermoset Bakelite compounds capable of enduring tropical heat while maintaining acoustic resonance.
Timeline
An object in time,
one continuous story.
1929
Founding of Murphy Radio
Frank Murphy and E.J. Power establish Murphy Radio Ltd. in Welwyn Garden City, focusing on clean industrial design and high-quality electronics.
1945
Post-War Export Initiative
British manufacturers expand tropicalized radio production aimed at the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and Middle Eastern markets.
1952
Introduction of Model 192
Murphy launches the 192/TA 192 series featuring dual-tone Bakelite styling and regional broadcast calibration.
Present
Collector Interest
The Murphy 192 remains a celebrated mid-century design piece, widely recognized for its bold styling and iconic historic station dial.
Condition
Honest wear,
documented clearly.
The molded Bakelite housing is structurally intact with superficial scuffs, handling wear, and minor finish fading consistent with age. The central station dial retains clear lettering and markers, though the surrounding cream plastic bezel exhibits light edge wear and localized chipping. The rear protective card backing is in place with some surface peeling, and the mains power cable is cut at the terminal ends without a plug.
✓
InspectedCabinet & Fascia
Dark brown Bakelite outer shell and cream louvred front show minor surface scuffs, dust accumulation, and edge wear but no visible structural cracks.
✓
InspectedDial Face & Bezel
Dial glass graphics for shortwave and station cities remain legible, while the painted inner bezel shows minor edge chips and paint loss around the lower rim.
✓
InspectedRear Panel
Original perforated ventilation backboard is retained by chassis screws, exhibiting surface abrasion, paper wear spots, and slight edge fraying.
✓
InspectedWiring & Controls
All three front control knobs are present; the attached two-core mains lead is truncated with exposed wire ends and lacks an electrical plug.
Logistics
Inspected, insured,
door to door.
Step 01
Delivery
Inspected, photographed, and packed with its condition report.
Step 02
Shipping
Custom-fit protective packing with tracked, insured courier service.
Step 03
Returns
Return requests are accepted within fourteen days of confirmed delivery.
Step 04
Dispatch
Prepared for courier handoff within three to five business days.
Acquisition
Make it part of
your collection.
Contact the seller for more information or to discuss this object.
✓ Insured Shipping✓ 14-Day Returns✓ Condition Report✓ Reviewed Listing
Murphy 192 Bakelite Tabletop Tube Radio