01
Subcontinent Station Dial
Features historic broadcast markers including Lahore, Bombay, Dacca, Peshawar, and Karachi.
Curio Gallery
01 / 06
01 / 06Murphy TA158 Valve Radio — photograph 1
Highlights
Why this object
still matters.
A classic Murphy bakelite tabletop valve radio featuring a ribbed front bezel and a clear vertical tuning scale. The dial explicitly lists broadcast stations across the Indian subcontinent including Peshawar, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Lahore, Mysore, Karachi, Srinagar, Dacca, and Rawalpindi. Three front rotary controls govern volume/power, station tuning, and waveband selection across medium wave and two shortwave bands.
02
Triple Waveband Coverage
Equipped with settings for Medium Wave (M) and two shortwave spread bands (S1 and S2).
03
Moulded Bakelite Housing
Deep reddish-brown bakelite cabinet styled with soft chamfered corners and a raised footed base.
04
Horizontal Grille Louvres
Contrasting light-toned front speaker grille with broad horizontal fluting.
05
Vertical Scale Architecture
Clear centre-mounted vertical frequency plate secured at the top with an exposed chassis screw.
06
Triple Rotary Controls
Dedicated lower dials for power/volume, manual tuning, and three-position band switching.
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.
Origin
United Kingdom
Year
1951
Department
audio
Packed shipment
5 kg · 45 × 32 × 30 cm
Brand
Murphy
Model
TA158 (or export variant)
Cabinet Material
Moulded bakelite
Bands
Medium Wave (M), Shortwave 1 (S1), Shortwave 2 (S2)
Controls
Off/On/Vol, Tuning, Band Selector (S2, S1, M)
Dial Stations
Peshawar, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Lahore, Mysore, Karachi, Srinagar, Dacca, R'Pindi
Details
Close inspection,
recorded in photographs.
Detail № 01 · Murphy TA158 Valve Radio — photograph 2
Detail № 02 · Murphy TA158 Valve Radio — photograph 3
Heritage
A traceable life,
carefully recorded.
Provenance documentation was not supplied for this specific Murphy TA158 Valve Radio; this listing is based on the supplied photographs only.
BROADCAST HISTORY
Voices of the Subcontinent
As seen in the central dial plate, this set was tailored for post-independence South Asian broadcasting, listing stations from Karachi and Dacca to Bombay and Delhi during a formative era of radio journalism.
MATERIAL HERITAGE
Bakelite Form and Function
Visible from the profile shot, the robust molded bakelite housing shows the deep luster and characteristic curves of 1950s British industrial engineering, preserving authentic material patina despite visible historical stress cracks.
Timeline
An object in time,
one continuous story.
1929
Founding of Murphy Radio
Frank Murphy and E.J. Power establish Murphy Radio in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
1951
Introduction of the TA158
Murphy launches the TA158 series, combining mid-century modern aesthetic styling with multi-band reception.
1950s
Export Market Success
Specialised dial scales featuring South Asian regional stations are distributed across India and Pakistan.
Present
Collector Interest
Valued by vintage audio collectors for its distinctive architectural grille design and regional historic dial printing.
Condition
Honest wear,
documented clearly.
The dark bakelite cabinet exhibits a visible hairline crack extending diagonally along the side panel. The upper edge shows small chips and finish wear, while the clear central scale display shows light surface scuffing and dust accumulation behind the plastic. The three control knobs are intact with visible surface scratching and tarnishing on the metallic inserts.
✓
InspectedSide Cabinet Crack
A long, visible diagonal crack running across the left-hand bakelite side panel.
✓
InspectedTop Rim Chipping
Minor surface chipping and paint loss along the top right front edge of the outer housing.
✓
InspectedDial Face Scuffs
Light age-related surface scratches, dust, and handling marks on the clear vertical tuning plate.
✓
InspectedKnob Wear
Age-appropriate circular scratch wear and minor patination on the metallic faces of all three lower control knobs.
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 TA158 Valve Radio