01
Subcontinent Station Dial
Features historic broadcast station call-outs across India, Pakistan, and Ceylon printed directly on the glass scale.
Curio Gallery
01 / 03
01 / 03Murphy TA-158 Vintage Tube Radio Receiver — photograph 1
Highlights
Why this object
still matters.
A classic Murphy four-band table valve radio housed in a dark wooden cabinet accented with dual brass trim lines and a woven speaker grille cloth. The lower tuning panel features rotary control knobs and an illuminated tuning scale marking major South Asian broadcasting stations including Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Lahore, and Colombo. A Murphy badge with a magic-eye tuning indicator bezel sits prominently on the upper grille fabric.
02
Four Band Reception
Calibrated across Medium Wave and three Shortwave meter bands (S1, S2, S3) for long-range reception.
03
Magic Eye Indicator
Equipped with a top-mounted tuning indicator window integrated into the Murphy emblem mount.
04
Dual Brass Inlay Trim
Accented with top and bottom brass-toned perimeter trim framing the rounded cabinet profile.
05
Twin Control Knobs
Features dual-concentric style control knobs for Volume/Tone and Tuning/Waveband selection.
06
Textured Acoustic Cloth
Fitted with a dense two-tone woven fabric grille covering the internal loudspeaker baffle.
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 (India) Ltd. / Murphy Radio
Origin
India
Year
1953
Department
audio
Packed shipment
5 kg · 45 × 32 × 30 cm
Manufacturer
Murphy Radio
Band Coverage
Medium Wave (M) and three Shortwave bands (S1, S2, S3)
Controls
Volume/On-Off/Tone dual control, Tuning knob, and Band selector
Station Dial Listings
Jullundur, Bombay, Dacca, Rawalpindi, Srinagar, Madras, Lahore, Delhi, Lucknow, Calcutta, Patna, Jammu, Ahmedabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Tiruchi, Colombo, Trivandrum, Nagpur, Hyderabad
Tuning Indicator
Magic eye tuning indicator opening above Murphy badge
Details
Close inspection,
recorded in photographs.
Detail № 01 · Murphy TA-158 Vintage Tube Radio Receiver — photograph 2
Detail № 02 · Murphy TA-158 Vintage Tube Radio Receiver — photograph 3
Heritage
A traceable life,
carefully recorded.
Provenance documentation was not supplied for this specific Murphy TA-158 Vintage Tube Radio Receiver; this listing is based on the supplied photographs only.
BROADCAST HISTORY
Echoes of the Subcontinent
The front dial proudly displays regional stations from Bombay and Calcutta to Lahore and Colombo, preserving a tangible geographic snapshot of mid-century South Asian radio broadcasting. The account stays anchored to the individual object photographed here, preserving its maker, period, and visible material character for the next collection.
CABINET DESIGN
Mid-Century Craftsmanship
The deep wooden enclosure seen in profile reveals classic curved corners and perimeter brass stringing, designed to serve as both an acoustic chamber and an elegant living room centerpiece.
Timeline
An object in time,
one continuous story.
1929
Founding of Murphy Radio
Frank Murphy and E.J. Power found Murphy Radio in Welwyn Garden City, England.
1948
Murphy Radio in India
Murphy expands assembly and manufacturing operations to India to serve the domestic broadcast market.
1953
Introduction of Model Series
Murphy introduces mid-century export and domestic table radios featuring Indian subcontinent station calibrations.
1962
Rank Organisation Merger
Murphy Radio is acquired by the Rank Organisation, transitioning designs toward solid-state receivers.
Condition
Honest wear,
documented clearly.
The cabinet shows visible cosmetic wear, including edge abrasions, minor scuffs on the dark finish, and signs of edge separation or seam wear along the bottom plinth. The speaker cloth remains intact with mild, even age patination, while the tuning scale glass and gold-tone lettering are well preserved and legible.
✓
InspectedCabinet Finish
Dark painted or stained wooden cabinet displays light surface scratches, edge paint wear, and minor seam separation along the lower base plinth.
✓
InspectedTuning Glass & Dial
Station markers and waveband scales are sharp, clear, and fully legible without visible cracks in the front dial plate.
✓
InspectedGrille Cloth & Badge
Fabric grille covering is intact with original textured weave, showing light age discoloration and an intact Murphy brand crest.
✓
InspectedHardware & Trim
Brass-toned trim bands display moderate surface oxidation, while the original fluted control knobs remain securely fitted.
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 TA-158 Vintage Tube Radio Receiver