1946 Catalin Art Deco Radio • FADA Model 652

Some things are actually more than what they are. Let me say that differently and a little more pointedly. This radio does more than play music. Which it does wonderfully, but it also captures an era and evokes a sentiment. And, due to its wonderful condition – one might be fooled into thinking that this radio was a recent post-war purchase and that happy days are here again. Well actually, that dream could still come true.

This wonderful little amber colored radio was made circa 1946 by Fada Radio, founded by Frank Angelo D’Andrea from Long Island City, Queens. Fada was one of the heavy hitters in the early radio market and was famous for its timeless designs like this streamlined and futuristic model called the “Temple”. The Temple is a truly incredible design with a flat, relatively plain surface on top that drops on either end from rounded corners then bulges out and then abruptly pulls back to a tapered base. It is made out of rare and beautiful silky catalin – which is essentially a super-refined bakelite. Hmm, I can almost hear Dinah Shore singing “Shoo-Fly Pie (And Apple Pan Dowdy)”