Crystal
Set,made by British Thompson-Huston,England.Type C ,Form A
This crystal receiver is a really excellent example of one of the
best ,early 20th century reception sets for home use.At a time when home
construction of Crystal Sets was general practice,British Thompson-Huston made a range of
high quality Crystal Sets, for people of discernment and good taste and who,(because these
sets were expensive),must have been wealthy enough to afford the best.This particular
Crystal Set is especially interesting as a collector’s item,because, instead of the
more usual single crystal detector, it incorporates a double crystal or "cat’s
whisker".The idea being that the station being received could be "tweaked
in" on both "cat’s whiskers" and then the one producing the loudest
output ,could be switched through to the earphones.The Crystal Set covers two
ranges,selected by a switch on the front panel.The set is in it’s original polished
hardwood cabinet,with fold up lid and brass carrying handle.Inside the lid of the cabinet,
the authenticating label of the British Postmaster General, may still be found.The
original,correct matching headphones made by British Thompson-Huston are included with the
set.This most attractive Crystal Set and it’s headphones,is in very good original
condition and working order.The price is $985 US Dollars,which includes the cost of air
freight to the USA.
This very much sought after communication receiver,which uses 14
tubes (valves) was first produced in England in 1947, by the General Electric Company.It
was designed to be a general purpose communication receiver which would give excellent
results, over what was back in 1947, stated to be a wide range of frequencies.The actual
frequency range is 150-358kc’s and .51-30Mc’s,in six
ranges;150-385kc’s,510-1300 kc’s,1300-3200kc’s,3200-8500
kc’s,8500-20000kc’s and 20000-30000kc’s.Bandspread is by 64 to 1
slow-motion drive and there is a logging scale, divided into 3200 divisions.An attractive
feature of this communications receiver is the use of individual edge-lit perspex strips
for each range,the range in use being illuminated.The makers specified sensitivity is less
than 1 microvolt for 1.5 watts output, on all ranges.The IF used is 455kc’s.The
receiver has a crystal filter and 6 bandwidths are available;.5,1.0,2.0,5.5,9.0 and
13kc’s.Panel controls on this very collectable communications receiver, are as
follows;Tuning,range,aerial trimmer,AF gain,IF gain,RF gain,Selectivity,Crystal
Phasing,BFO pitch,Noise limiter,send/receive,Mains on/off,AVC,Audio Filter,Speech/Music
switch,BFO on/off.The tube (valve) line-up is a fascinating mixture of old and new types,
with many and varied bases,viz.,W81’s,X81,N77,DH81,D63,KT81,Z77’s,KT81,U52 and
an enormous but beautiful, S130 stabiliser,which gives off enough warm glow,to light the
house! Weight is an impressive 75lbs.This classic piece of receiving hardware, will
operate from 95-130 or 195 –250 volts AC.Apart from some flaking of paint finish on
the front panel (the passing of half a century, has caused the paint to become rather
brittle),the receiver is in good ,original ,condition.It is in working order.The price of
this beauty ,is $1175 U.S.Dollars,which includes the cost of air freight to the USA.