I recently inherited a Philco 37-3630 floor model radio. It has been fully restored and works. Any idea what it should be insured for?

:I recently inherited a Philco 37-3630 floor model radio. It has been fully restored and works. Any idea what it should be insured for?

Ok...Any suggestions who I can contact for this type of information?

::I recently inherited a Philco 37-3630 floor model radio. It has been fully restored and works. Any idea what it should be insured for?
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:Ok...Any suggestions who I can contact for this type of information?

Mack, I see you've been in limbo here. Probably the lack of getting a response is perhaps because it, the response, might be a bubble buster. Check with your insurer on the rates. I'm not that familiar with your model. So far I haven't insured a radio because premiums are just too much for me. I do know about trying to get the insurance coverage for different items including jewelry. Premiums! Fortunately there's safe deposit boxes. Regardless of the shape your 37-3630 Philco is in, unless it's plated with 14k gold, it could not be worth more than a couple hundred dollars on the outside say pushing $300.00. The insurer most likely would require an appraisal. Get a local licensed appraiser antique type to appraise your radio. One thing I noticed about 'antique' appraisers is you will normally get an inflated value. My opinion only. Pay their fee. Wow! Then if your insurer premiums suit you get the radio insured. In any case enjoy the radio.

Bill VA

Stein's pre-war console guide doesn't list that model number. He does list a 37-630X, which may be the same or similar?

It has a round tuning dial escutcheon and three vertical wooden bars that are about half the height of the cabinet. 6 tubes, 3 bands. Could this be it? Stein's value is $225.

Consoles haven't appreciated much, probably because the cost of shipping diminishes the market.

:::I recently inherited a Philco 37-3630 floor model radio. It has been fully restored and works. Any idea what it should be insured for?
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::Ok...Any suggestions who I can contact for this type of information?
:
:Mack, I see you've been in limbo here. Probably the lack of getting a response is perhaps because it, the response, might be a bubble buster. Check with your insurer on the rates. I'm not that familiar with your model. So far I haven't insured a radio because premiums are just too much for me. I do know about trying to get the insurance coverage for different items including jewelry. Premiums! Fortunately there's safe deposit boxes. Regardless of the shape your 37-3630 Philco is in, unless it's plated with 14k gold, it could not be worth more than a couple hundred dollars on the outside say pushing $300.00. The insurer most likely would require an appraisal. Get a local licensed appraiser antique type to appraise your radio. One thing I noticed about 'antique' appraisers is you will normally get an inflated value. My opinion only. Pay their fee. Wow! Then if your insurer premiums suit you get the radio insured. In any case enjoy the radio.
:
:Bill VA

:Stein's pre-war console guide doesn't list that model number. He does list a 37-630X, which may be the same or similar?

Hi,

Your set is a CANADIAN Philco model and is similar to the U.S. Philco Model 37-630.

Your set, if it's a tombstone is a 37-3630AB or if it's a console, 37-3630AX as the full model numbers.

The tombstone chassis has no US equivalent, only the console has the US 37-630X chassis in it, FYI.

Chuck

Thanks for the information folks! I believe that I will have an antique appraiser look at it to have it valued and get it insured. It is a beautiful radio - I especially love the way the old dial has titles such as 'The Vatican' listed on it. A real piece of history!

:Thanks for the information folks! I believe that I will have an antique appraiser look at it to have it valued and get it insured. It is a beautiful radio - I especially love the way the old dial has titles such as 'The Vatican' listed on it. A real piece of history!

If it's the tombstone version, I'd guess it's about $150-$175 working, restored both cosmetically and electrically. If the console, $200-250, again greatly depending on cosmetic and electrical condition and completeness.

Chuck

Hi Mack,
I have used Mark Stein's "Machine Age to Jet Age" (now titled differently) and John Slusser's "Collector's Guide to Antique Radios" in my search for sets for my collection. Both in Denver and in Phoenix I find that retail prices for good working examples at antique stores run almost DOUBLE what the books suggest! If you live in California, you can expect to pay TRIPLE the values listed in these books. I don't know why that is because most of us who collect and restore these things can't afford those prices. I'm reduced to stalking estate and garage sales and even placing ads in the paper periodically. Of course, when it comes time to sell, the inflated prices are a good thing. I sold a couple of restored Philco consoles in Denver 5 years ago that should have gone for about $200 -$250 each, for almost $400 each and had a bidding war going! It's even hard to get a deal on e-bay these days. BOTTOM LINE: The best way to value your radio is to check some good antique dealers in your area (take them a picture) and see how much they are getting for similar items. GOOD LUCK