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Object Timeline
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1933 |
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1988 |
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2024 |
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Drawing, Design for Phonograph Speaker Unit, Philco, Century of Progress, Chicago World's Fair, 1933-1934
This is a Drawing. It was from the office of Donald Deskey Associates and Donald Deskey and made for (as the client) Philco (Philadelphia Storage Battery Company) and made for Chicago World's Fair (Century of Progress). It is dated 1933 and we acquired it in 1988. Its medium is graphite on tracing paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.
This object was
donated by
Donald Deskey.
It is credited Gift of Donald Deskey.
- Working Prototype, Type 1 speaker
- aluminum, leather.
- Courtesy of Cloudandco / Yeongkyu Yoo.
- 52.2015.1a,b
![A drawing using blue pencil and ruled border in graphite on tracing paper, probably for several iterations, consisting of one isometric view in perspective displaying top, front and left side of three displays of a radio-phonograph cabinet with the underlined title [Combination Radio and Phonograph Cabinet with Sliding Top and Folding Doors] positioned toward the bottom. From left, the drawing indicates the cabinet closed with an underlined label stating the same [CABINET CLOSED]. The rectilinear design features a front left curved corner with flat top and raised square form on right with two doors in the front located right of center with horizontal pulls that connect when the cabinet is closed. A recessed bottom supports the cabinet. The middle drawing is positioned parallel to the left one and reveals the same cabinet however this rendition presents the sliding top open halfway revealing an empty deep box-like space with a label and curved pointed arrow explaining the same and is underlined, [Top Slides Under] and the raised square houses the top when slid open. The front folding doors are shown in partial fold and in a rendered fragmented drawing indicating the doors completely open, partially revealing a built in radio and the tops of slats on the far right. An underlined label with two arrows confirms the [Folding Doors]. The drawing on the far right is also positioned parallel to the left and middle drawings and reveals the same cabinet however this rendition shows the empty deep box-like space labelled [phonograph] overlapping the drawing. The front doors are completely folded so the right part of the door folds inward close to the cabinet while the left side becomes the outer door. The full radio is revealed and there are several small dials rotating around a larger centered round manual dial. The speakers are formed in several horizontal slats below with the name of the manufacturer displayed that is unreadable. [Cabinet Open] is underlined and is located below this drawing. A label is drawn outside of the cabinet with an arrow pointed at the folding doors that is unreadable. In the lower right hand corner is a title box with the designer’s information: [April 27 in 1937] new row [Donald Desky] new row [630 Fifth Avenue] new row [New York City].](https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/329144_65605bf0935fd7bd_n.jpg "Drawing, Design for a Combination Radio and Phonograph Cabinet with Sliding Top and Folding Doors")
- Drawing, Design for a Combination Radio and Phonograph Cabinet with Sliding...
- graphite, blue pencil on tracing paper, ruled border in graphite.
- Gift of Donald Deskey.
- 1975-11-483
Its dimensions are
34.1 x 37.9 cm (13 7/16 x 14 15/16 in.)
It has the following markings
Stamps: Stamp in black ink at lower left: DONALD DESKEY/ 501 MADISON AVENUE/ NEW YORK CITY
It is inscribed
Inscribed in graphite at lower left to lower right: SPEAKER UNIT (& PHONOGRAPH) PHILCO - CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR 1933 DD OCT 1st 1982 Inscribed dimensions
Cite this object as
Drawing, Design for Phonograph Speaker Unit, Philco, Century of Progress, Chicago World's Fair, 1933-1934; Office of Donald Deskey Associates, Donald Deskey (American, 1894–1989); Made for Chicago World's Fair (Century of Progress); Client: Philco (Philadelphia Storage Battery Company) (United States); USA; graphite on tracing paper; 34.1 x 37.9 cm (13 7/16 x 14 15/16 in.); Gift of Donald Deskey; 1988-101-202
