01
Bakelite Construction
Robust molded dark Bakelite enclosure featuring rounded Art Deco-influenced corners.
Curio Gallery
01 / 04
01 / 04Philips BX490A Multi-Band Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 3
Highlights
Why this object
still matters.
Mid-century tabletop valve radio built in a dark molded Bakelite cabinet. The upper tier houses a striped textile speaker grille with the Philips shield emblem, while the lower section features a multi-band dial with fine bandspread scale. Equipped with four front control knobs, a central fine-tuning wheel, and a side-mounted control.
02
Bandspread Tuning
Integrated auxiliary scale at bottom center allows precise shortwave station navigation.
03
Six-Band Coverage
Broad spectrum coverage spanning standard broadcast, tropical, and shortwave bands.
04
Dual-Section Front
Upper speaker chamber paired with lower illuminated tuning window architecture.
05
Classic Shield Emblem
Features the historic Philips stars-and-waves medallion mounted directly on the grille.
06
Comprehensive Controls
Includes tone, volume, fine-tuning, band switching, and auxiliary gramophone inputs.
Specifications
The useful facts,
clearly recorded.
Measurements, construction, identity, and seller-supplied details are kept together for direct comparison.
Reviewed · Curio catalogue
Maker
Philips; Eindhoven
Origin
Netherlands
Year
1949
Department
audio
Dimensions
47 × 31 × 22 cm
Packed shipment
5 kg · 45 × 32 × 30 cm
Cabinet Material
Molded Bakelite
Bands
Medium wave and multiple shortwave/tropical bands
Tuning System
Analog multi-scale dial with auxiliary bandspread
Controls
Four main rotary knobs, central vernier knob, side control
Details
Close inspection,
recorded in photographs.
Detail № 01 · Philips BX490A Multi-Band Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 1
Detail № 02 · Philips BX490A Multi-Band Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 2
Heritage
A traceable life,
carefully recorded.
Provenance documentation was not supplied for this specific Philips BX490A Multi-Band Tabletop Tube Radio; this listing is based on the supplied photographs only.
Global Tuning
Reaching Across Continents
The elaborate multi-tier dial in photo 2 highlights dedicated tropical and shortwave allocations. Designed for overseas broadcast monitoring, users leveraged the fine bandspread vernier to capture distant shortwave transmissions clearly.
Bakelite Craft
Post-War Industrial Aesthetic
Seen from the side profile in photo 1, the heavy Bakelite chassis shows durable compound molding. These robust enclosures insulated electronics while providing the warm acoustic resonance characteristic of post-war European sets.
Timeline
An object in time,
one continuous story.
1949
Model Launch
Philips introduces the BX490 series catering to domestic and global export markets.
1950
Shortwave Refinements
Enhanced bandspread tuning provides precise selection across congested shortwave frequencies.
1952
Design Transition
Production shifts toward modern plastics and lower-profile wooden cabinets.
1955
Collector Transition
Post-war Bakelite sets enter the transition to iconic mid-century radio artifacts.
Condition
Honest wear,
documented clearly.
Bakelite housing exhibits surface scuffing, abrasions, and edge wear throughout. Dial glass and printed scales remain intact and legible with mild internal dust. Knobs and textile grille display visible age-related patination and dust but no structural breaks.
✓
InspectedBakelite Cabinet
Superficial scratches and rub marks on the top, front frame, and side panels.
✓
InspectedSpeaker Grille Cloth
Striped fabric remains intact and taut with moderate age toning and dust accumulation.
✓
InspectedTuning Dial & Markings
Multi-band glass scale and numeric indicators are intact with slight fading on inner graphics.
✓
InspectedKnobs & Hardware
Original cream and dark control knobs show surface dirt and finish wear consistent with age.
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
Philips BX490A Multi-Band Tabletop Tube Radio