The Best of Murphy Cabinet Design 1930 to compiled by James Reeve

(1)

1

The Best of Murphy

Cabinet Design

1930 to 1950

compiled by

James Reeve

(2)

(3)

3 FOREWORD

As a school leaver aged 15, I began work in November 1940 at

Murphy Radio as a trainee in the design office in Bridge Road,

Welwyn Garden City. During the war I worked on receivers and

other electronic equipment for the military. In 1950, I began working

for Eden Minns, designing for the new post-war products. I

continued to work in cabinet and graphic design for Murphy until

1970, although in 1962 the company had been taken over by

Rank-Bush.

This catalogue is a tribute to the design work for Murphy by R. D.

Russell and Eden Minns from 1930 to 1950. During this unique

period they brought together an integration of high quality furniture

design and craft techniques with as near mass–production as was

possible at the time.

The majority of the images of the sets are taken from contemporary

photographic glass plates which were rescued from a pile of scrap

discarded by the firm in 1962. The text and other images (for which

we had no plates) are derived from a combination of contemporary

Murphy sales literature and Murphy News articles plus two modern

images of surviving sets.

I would like to thank Derek Dewey-Leader for scanning the glass

plates and my son Nigel Reeve for producing this electronic

catalogue. Thanks also to the staff of Mill Green Museum who

allowed us access to their Murphy collection and David Grant who

kindly contributed several images, a good deal of additional

information and very helpful peer review during the project.

(4)

4

EDEN MINNS F.S.I.A.: Head of Cabinet Design Department. Trained as an architect, he subsequently joined the famous furniture firm of Gordon Russell Ltd of Broadway, Worcestershire, with whom he was engaged on furniture designing. From 1936 to 1939 he was designing Murphy cabinets for R. D. Russell in London. His first Murphy design was the B33. He was responsible for such outstanding cabinets as the A40C, A40RG, A42V, and others. Later he came to Murphy Radio and designed many of the early war-period cabinets. War service in the Fleet Air Arm and in aircraft carriers. Returned to Murphy radio on the last day of 1945, and quickly added to his already considerable reputation in the field of of industrial design by the evolution of cabinets of such widely differing styles as the A122, the A122 Console, and the TA126 export set.

His interest in architecture still remains. His interest in radio is mainly in the part it plays as furniture.Age42.

Married: one child.Livesin a flat in Kensington.

R. D. RUSSELL, R.D.I., F.S.I.A.: Outside consultant on Cabinet Design. Is younger brother of Gordon Russell, founder of the furntiure concern of Broadway, Worcestershire. He began designing Murphy cabinets as long ago as 1931, his first being the famous A3. Early Murphy cabinets were designed a t Broadway but as the range expanded an office was opened in London to handle the increased amount of work, and R.D.R was on the staff of Murphy Radio until 1939. Like Eden Minns, he saw war service in the Navy. Afterwards he resumed active design work for Murphy Radio in capacity of outside consultant. He has been responsible for the two post-war television receivers, the V114 and V116, and the innovations introduced by the latter were described in an article by him in THE NEWS of April last year. Age: 44. Married: three Biographies and photographs from Murphy News February 1948

(5)

5 A3

The first Murphy mains powered radio.

Designer: R. D. Russell

Model: A3 Table Model 3 Valve + Rectifier ‘Straight’ receiver for use with AC mains. Two wavebands – Long & Medium.

Cabinet: In solid walnut. Speaker fabric is silver. The first well designed mains radio cabinet to be quantity-produced in England. Date: 1931

Price: £19 19s 0d reduced to £17 17s 0d in 1932

Note: In 1932, the cabinet was enlarged to accommodate the A3A chassis. This cabinet was manufactured from walnut veneered plywood – this was the first use of this material in a mass produced radio in Britain.Price:£17 17s 0d reduced to £13 10s

(6)

6 B4

Designer: Ercolani, cabinet manufacturer. Feet and loudspeaker fretwork modified by R. D. Russell

Model: B4 4 Valve Battery portable ‘Straight’ receiver. Two wavebands – Long & Medium.

(7)

7 A8

The first Murphy superhet receiver.

Designer: R.D.Russell

Model: A8 Table Model 8 Valve + Rectifier superhet AC mains receiver. Two wavebands – Long & Medium.

Cabinet: In walnut veneered plywood. Speaker fabric is silver with diagonal blue & black stripes. This was the first (of many) radio cabinet made in Britain to have a ‘landscape’ profile. Date: 1932

(8)

8 A4

Model: A4 AC Superhet Table Set D4 DC Superhet Table set B5 Battery Superhet Table Set Date: 1933

(9)

9 A24

Model: A24 AC Superhet Table Set D24 DC Superhet Table set B24 Battery Superhet Table Set Date: 1934

(10)

10 A24C

Model: A24 AC Superhet Console D24 DC Superhet Console Date: 1934

(11)

11 A24RG and A26RG

The first ‘Murphy’radiogram.

Model: A24RG & A26RG AC Superhet Radiogram D24RG & D26RG DC Superhet Radiogram Date: 1934 (A26RG, 1935)

(12)

12 A26

Model: A26 AC Superhet Table Set D26 DC/AC Superhet Table set B25 Battery Superhet Table Set Date: 1935

(13)

13 `

A26C

Model: A26C AC Superhet Console D26C DC/AC Superhet Console Date: 1935

(14)

14 A28C

Model: A28C AC and D28C DC, Superhet Console with automatic tuning correction.

(15)

15 A28RG

Model: A28RG AC and D28RG DC, Superhet Radiogram with automatic tuning correction

(16)

16 B23

Model: B23 Straight Battery Table Set Date: 1936

(17)

17 B27

Model: B27 Battery Superhet Table Set Date: 1936

(18)

18 A30

Model: A30 AC Superhet Table Set D30 DC Superhet Table Set

Cabinet: In matt finished walnut with a band of zebrano across the front

(19)

19 A30C

Model: A30C AC Superhet Console D30C DC Superhet Console Date: 1936

(20)

20 A30RG

Model: A30RG AC Superhet Radiogram D30RG DC Superhet Radiogram Date: 1936

(21)

21 B31

Model: B31 Straight Battery table Set

Cabinet: Polished walnut with polished black sides Date: 1937

(22)

22 B33

Designer: Eden Minns

(23)

23 AD32

Model: AD32 AC/DC Superhet table Set Date: 1937

(24)

24 A34

Model: A34 AC Superhet table Set D34 DC/AC Superhet Table Set Date: 1937

(25)

25 A36

Model: A36 Special S.W. performance AC Superhet Table Set D36 Special S.W. performance DC/AC Superhet Table Set Date: 1937

(26)

26 A38C

Model: A38C AC and D38C DC/AC Superhet Console with special quality reproduction

Cabinet: Polished figured walnut and straight-grained elm Date: 1937

(27)

27 A42V

Designer: Eden Minns Model: A42V AC Television receiver. The first Murphy television. A luxury product. A reversed screen image was viewed via a mirror in the lid. Picture size 9in x 7 in

Cabinet:Bombay rosewood & impregnated black pearwood. Date: 1937

(28)

28 A34RG

Designer: Eden Minns Model: A34RG AC and D34RG DC/AC Superhet Radiogram.

Cabinet:Polished black walnut and French light walnut Date: 1937

(29)

29 A40C

Model: A40C AC Superhet Console with outstanding quality of reproduction, special S.W. performance and automatic tuning correction.

Cabinet: Bombay rosewood and thuya burr Date: 1937

(30)

30 A40RG

Designer: Eden Minns Model: A40RG AC Superhet Radiogram with outstanding quality of reproduction, special S.W. performance and

automatic tuning correction. In Bombay rosewood and

Bubinga. The lining of the lid is pale grey felt with a white trellis – a luxury set. Date: 1937

(31)

31 B45

Model: Straight Battery Table Set

Cabinet: Polished black walnut with a narrow white rim surrounding the loudspeaker.

(32)

32 A46

Model: A46 All wave AC Superhet Table Set D46 All wave DC/AC Superhet Table Set

Cabinet: Contrasting French walnut and black walnut veneers. Loudspeaker opening has a narrow white surround. Date: 1938

(33)

33 A46C

Model: A46 All wave AC Superhet Console D46 All wave DC/AC Superhet Console

Cabinet: Dark and medium-toned walnut. The controls are set on a sloping top panel of feather -grained walnut for easy operation whether standing or seated.

(34)

34 A46RG

Model: A46RG All wave AC Superhet Radiogram D46RG All wave DC/AC Superhet Radiogram

Cabinet: Dark walnut with light horizontal lines on the upper front panel. Date: 1938

(35)

35 B47

Model: All wave Battery Superhet Table Set

Cabinet: Dark polished walnut with front panel carrying the concentric controls.

(36)

36 B47C

Model: All wave Battery Superhet Console

Cabinet: Dark and medium-toned walnut with contrasting plinth. The controls are placed on the sloping top for easy handling.

(37)

37 A48

Model: A48 All wave AC Superhet Table Set D48 All wave DC/AC Superhet Table Set

Cabinet: French walnut, contrasting with dark-figured walnut. Date: 1938

(38)

38 A48RG

Model: A48RG All wave AC Superhet Radiogram with Automatic Record Changer.

D48RG DC/AC model.

Cabinet: Polished black walnut and French walnut veneer. Flush motor-board and slightly inset lid for easy lifting. Date: 1938

(39)

39 A50

Model: A50 All wave AC Superhet Table Set D50 All wave DC/AC Superhet Table Set Designed for good quality reproduction

Cabinet: Venereed in righ-figured Honduras mahogany with control panel in dark grey-silvered glass.

(40)

40 A50C

Model: A50C All wave AC Superhet Console D50C All wave DC/AC Superhet Console Designed for good quality reproduction.

Cabinet: Walnut and rose zebrano. Tilted top suited to armchair operation. Date: 1938

(41)

41 A52

Model: A52 AC Push Button Table Set with special S.W. perfomance. 7 valve (plus rectifier) double Superhet with motorised tuning. Date: 1938

(42)

42 A56V

Model: A56V AC Television Receiver. Picture size 7½ in. x 6 in. Date: 1938

(43)

43 A58V

Model: A58V AC Television and Radio Receiver. Combining

Television and reception on short, medium and longwaves with good quality reproduction. Picture size 7½ in. x 6 in.

(44)

44 B81

Model: B81 All purpose Battery Portable

Cabinet:“All weather” finish of black rexine piped with green leather with greeen plastic knobs and dial opening.

Date: 1939 Price: £8 15s 0d

(45)

45 B69

Model: B69 All wave Battery Table Set.

Cabinet: Dark walnut with a light walnut top, Similar design to the 70 mains table model but without “feet” and the tuning scale is black on white rather than three colours.

(46)

46 A72/B71

Model: A72 All wave Mains Superhet Table Set, B71 battery model. D72A (DC only) & B71A Special 4-way band models.

Cabinet:Light and dark polished walnut with a gold surround to the speaker and scale openings.

Date: 1939

Price: A72, £12 10s 0d, DC/AC 5/- extra, D72A £13 10s 0d. Price change October 1939 £13 0s 0d DC/AC 10/- extra. Press button unit 35/-extra. Remote control unit (AC only) £3 10s 0d 35/-extra. B71 £11 0s

(47)

47

70

Model: 70 All wave Mains Superhet Table Set Cabinet:Two tones of polished dark walnut with light walnut top. Tapered speaker opening with a gold finished scale surround surrounded by inlaid white line. Tuning scale in 3 colours. Date: 1939

Price: £10 5s 0d DC/AC 5/- extra. Press button unit 35/- extra

(48)

48 A74

Designer: Cabinet R. D. Russell, knobs by Eden Minns

Model: A74 All wave AC Table Set with excellent quality reproduction.

Cabinet:In contrasting shades of walnut “V” grain side and dark walnut.

Date: 1939

Price: £16 0s 0d. Price change October 1939 £16 15s 0d. Press button unit 35/- extra

(49)

49 A76

Model: A76 All wave AC Table Set, special Short Wave performance Cabinet:Brown figures mahogany and beech with a highly polished finish. Date: 1939

Price: £16 10s 0d

Price change October 1939 £17 10s 0d Press button unit 35/- extra

(50)

50 70C

Model: 70C All wave Mains Console Date: 1939

Price: £14 15s 0d, DC/AC 5/ - extra Price change October 1939 £15 10s 0d, DC/AC 5/- extra. Press button unit 35/-extra. Remote control unit (AC only)

(51)

51 A74C

Model: A74C All wave AC Console, with excellent quality reproduction

Date: 1939

Price: £21 0s 0d. Price change October 1939 £22 0s 0d. Press button unit 35/- extra

(52)

52 A78C

Model: A78C All wave AC Console, with outstanding quality reproduction, special short wave performance and Remote Control.

Date: 1939

Price: £40 0s 0d. Price change October 1939 £42 0s 0d Purchase Tax payable from October 1940

(53)

53 70RG

Model: 70RG All wave Mains Radiogram

Cabinet: Medium and light toned walnut with light inlaid lines on the speaker panel.

Date: 1939

Price: £22 0s 0d, DC/AC £2 0s 0d extra

Price change October 1939 £23 0s 0d, DC/AC £2 5s 0d extra Press button unit 35/- extra

(54)

54 A72RG

Designer: R. D. Russell Model: A72RG All wave AC Superhet Radiogram with automatic record changer for up to eight 10 in. or 12 in. records

Cabinet: Dark walnut with lighter contrasts on the exposed edges of the speaker panel and cabinet top. Date: 1939

Price: £32 0s 0d

Price change October 1939 £33 10s 0d

Press button unit 35/- extra Remote control unit (AC only)

(55)

55 A78RG

Model: A78RG All wave AC Superhet Radiogram, with outstanding quality reproduction, special short wave performance, remote control and with automatic record changer, taking 10 in. or 12 in. mixed records.

Date: 1939

Price: £90 0s 0d. Price change December 1939 £95 0s 0d Purchase Tax payable from October 1940

(56)

56 V84T

Model: V84T AC Table Model Television Receiver. Picture size 7½ in. x 6 in.

(57)

57 V84C

Model: V84C AC Television Console. Picture size 7½ in. x 6 in. Date: 1939

(58)

58 V86C

Model: V86C AC Television Console, with high quality performance. Picture size 10 in. x 8 in.

(59)

59 V88C

Designer: R. D. Russell Model: V88C AC Television and all wave Radio Console.

Picture size 10 in. x 8 in. Date: 1939

(60)

60 B93

Model: B93 Battery Superhet Portable

Cabinet: Black rexine. The white line around the front panel is the white rubber “grommet”, the speaker silk is black and white striped, the scale has black lettering on a white ground, and the knobs and dial opening are black plastic.

Date: 1940

(61)

61 B89

Price: £7 15s 0d

Price change September 1940 £8 10s 0d Purchase Tax payable from October 1940

(62)

62 A92 and B91

Model: A92 Mains Special Short Wave Performance AC Superhet Table Set with press button tuning on Short Wave.

Cabinet: Warm brown oak with a black bakelite front. B91 (battery model) has a white tuning scale because the dial is not illuminated; saving battery power.

Date: 1940

Price: A92 £15 15s 0d, B91 £14 10s 0d

Purchase Tax payable from October 1940

(63)

63

90

Model: 90 All wave Mains Superhet Table Set Date: 1940

Price: £11 0s 0d, DC/AC 10/- extra

Price change April 1940 £11 10s 0d, DC/AC 10/- extra Purchase Tax payable from October 1940

(64)

64 A90C

Model: A90C All wave AC Superhet Console Date: 1940

Price: £18 0s 0d

(65)

65 90RG

Designer: Eden Minns Model: 90RG All wave AC Superhet Radiogram Date: 1940

Price

: £26 0s 0d, DC/AC £1

10s 0d extra. Purchase Tax

payable from October 1940.

Price change October 1943

£32 10s 0d plus Purchase

Tax. DC/AC £34 7s 6d plus

(66)

66 AD94

Model: AD94 AC/DC Superhet Table Set. Moulded Cabinet.

The first bakelite (black) cabinet (moulding by de la Rue) and final new set of the year. The black and white motif is provided by the highlights, scale, speaker silk and knobs.

Date: 1940

(67)

67 A96

Model: A96 AC Superhet Table Set with short and medium waves only. B96 Battery Superhet Table Model (issued 1945). Cabinet: Moulded black bakelite (moulding by De la Rue). Date: 1943

(68)

68 War-time Civilian Receiver

Model: War-time Civilian Receiver (Government Industry Specification) Date: 1944

(69)

69 A98 and B97

Model: A98 AC Superhet Table Set for long, medium and short waves. Moulded Cabinet. B97 Battery model.

Date: 1945

(70)

70 SAD94S and SAD 94L

Model: SAD94S AC/DC Superhet Table Set with short and medium waves only. SAD94L with long and medium waves only. Date: 1945

(71)

71 V86CA

Designer: R.D. Russell

Model: AC Television Console. Picture Size 10 in. x 8 in. Date: 1946

(72)

72 V114

Model: V114 AC Table Model Television. Picture Size 8 in. x 6½ in. Cabinet: Rosewood top and front. The lower part, veneered in

mahogany and carrying speaker and controls, is set back. The speaker bars are splayed outwards from the centre, backed by a plain gold rayon fabric.

(73)

73 TA92 & TU92

Designer: Eden Minns Model: TA92 Special short wave performance, AC Superhet Table Set, with press button tuning on Short Wave. TU92 AC/DC model.

Date: 1947

Price: £25 0s 0d plus Purchase Tax

(74)

74 A122

Model: A122 Table Model Baffle 4-Valve Superhet for AC long, medium and short waves.

Cabinet: It has a rich mahogany finish. Its side members, of darker wood, extend sufficiently far to the rear to give it a firm “sit”. The speaker silk is gold. The l..w, m.w. and s.w. scales are separately illuminated; their station names are picked out in white and the wavelength figures in green.

(75)

75 A122C

Designer: Eden Minns

Model: A122C Console version of the A122 baffle superhet.

Cabinet: The top of the Console and the central panel are veneered in a nicely figured mahogany of warm, golden colour. The legs are of laminated wood. Speaker silk is gold.

(76)

76 TA126

The first purpose designed export model.

Model: TA126 Table Model 4 Valve + Rectifier Superhet for use with AC mains. Eight wavebands – Medium, Short and 6 bandspread shortwave bands. Also TU126 for DC mains and TB125/7 for accumulator operation.

Cabinet: Bakelite with cream painted front. Date: 1947

(77)

77 V116

Model: V116C AC Console Model Television. Picture size 10” × 8”. Cabinet: Sides and doors in mahogany, top in blistered mahogany.

There are no handles on the doors: opening is effected by pulling on a “finger-hold” at the top. The surround to the screen and speaker is of straight-grained continental elm, finished in a lighter shade than the main carcase.

(78)

(79)

79 A146C

The first ‘Murphy’ baffle console.

Model: A146C Console Model Baffle 6 Valve + Rectifier

Superhet for use with AC mains. Two wavebands – Long & Medium.

Cabinet: Floor model baffle in walnut. Front in halved and matched figured walnut.

(80)

80 A122M

Model: A122M Table Model Baffle 4 Valve + Rectifier Superhet for use with

AC mains. Three wavebands – Long, Medium & Short. Cabinet: Square treatment of cabinet, scale and speaker opening gives

a more massive appearance than its predecessors. Main panel is veneered in African rosewood, Ends and top in walnut. Speaker fabric is gold.

(81)

81 V134/6C

Model: V134C and V136C AC Console Model Television. Picture size 7½” × 6”. The V134C was intended for reception only within 12-15 miles of Alexandra Palace, the V136C had a greater range. Cabinet: In attractive walnut veneer, straight grained for the body of the

cabinet, with figured top, doors and speaker apron. Legs of dark walnut fitted with Domes of Silence. Edges of speaker and screen openings and door edges are cross-banded in veneer, not painted. Minn’s original curved leg design (inset) was replaced by straight legs in the production model.

Date: 1948

(82)

82 V176C

Model: V176C AC Console Model Television. Picture size 12½” × 10”. Cabinet: The cabinet is of an exceptionally attractive walnut finish. It is

fitted with doors. The instrument panel matches the main cabinet, also being of walnut. Felt lining of the interior prevents distracting reflections.

Date: 1950

Price: £128 0s 0d plus Purchase Tax

This model was announced in the October 1949 edition of the ‘Murphy News’ but wasn’t available until April of the following

(83)

83 V180C

Model: V180C AC Console Model Television. 12” tube. A successor to the V120C (not shown in this guide).

Cabinet: An emphasis on vertical lines is made by pillars which curve out from the side panels for a wider front aspect, and easier adjustment of the set position with one hand. The top, shaped at the front, is in figured medium-tone walnut, edged by darker bands running around the sides and back. Walnut instrument panel with crossbanded veneer edge. The controls (brown bakelite with gold rings) have a broad fluting that is pleasant to handle. Gold striped rayon speaker silk. Fitted with large castors.

(84)

84 AFTERWORD

Although we were unable to track down photographs of every set

produced from 1930-1950, I hope that this book will be a useful

reference for Murphy and design enthusiasts everywhere. Should

more images be found they may be added to later editions of this

electronic book.

1950 sees the end of this unique period in the design history of one

company. However, Murphy Radio continued this tradition of high

quality design in production of audio and television into the 1970s.

(85)