The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Monday, January 22, 2018

1940's Porto Baradio

When the ice and snow finally melted away this weekend, I was able to drop by an estate sale or two, and I saw this intriguing item.  Being accompanied by my apprentice (Benjamin, age 5), who required some supervision, I was unable to do any research on it at the sale.  Other than being a bar with a built-in radio, and having a definite 1940's look, I had no information.

Subsequent research revealed it to be a Stewart-Warner "Porto Baradio" from around 1942.  It is what it appears to be:  a portable bar with a built-in radio.  Further research found that this particular piece does not have any of the original glassware, and that the warped speaker grill/radio dial was common for these models.  Listed price at the estate sale was $90, but it was 20% off for the second day of the sale, or $72.  If it lasted to the next day, it may have been half off. 

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