1950 Zenith Porthole Television - Cinderella

(Click here to expand writeup) 1950 Zenith "porthole" Television. This TV was advertised as the "Lincoln" model in the Presidential series. I call her "Cinderella" because she most likely spent the last 50 years in a barn or basement neglected and her electronics not working. Judging by the condition and repairs when I found her, this 60 year old television probably functioned as a playing television for only the first 10 years of her life. She spent the last 50 years ignored, dirty and neglected - thus I call her Cinderella and now she has been brought back to the party in all her glory.

Cinderella's electronics has been fully restored and her cabinet cleaned and restored. The front bezel was repainted along with the metal back cover. The entire inside of the cabinet was also stained. When found, her chassis's, both of them, were rusty and grungy. I found acorns in the cabinet and 50 years worth of neglect. Mice had played inside and you could see the trails of rust from mouse pee they left between the vacuum tubes. Cinderella was horribly neglected.

Cinderella has a 16" round 16EP4 CRT, 23 vacuum tubes, a really well built Mahogany cabinet, and a front control door made of solid brass. She is complete from the metal mesh back cover to the knobs on the front. This restoration was my first TV and I leaned heavily on the advice and support I got from the kind and knowledgeable folks on the http://www.AntiqueRadios.com Television forum.

Here is Cinderella brought back from neglect ...
... remember the 1950's Loretta Young show where actress Loretta Young waltz's on stage at the start of the show and reads "Letters to Loretta"?

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Zenith
• Porthole
• TV
• Television
• 1950
• Vintage
• Antique
• 16EP4

[cwmoser]

Yeah, some of my friends say it reminds them of a modern washing machine:-)

Back in 1948-1951 Zenith advertisements stated that a TV should be round because the eye is round. After 1951, the "trend" and consumer taste was for square screen TV's and Zenith stopped that advertising program.

Round screen TV's are now highly sought after by collectors because they are so rare and unique.

[cwmoser]

Do you have experience repairing old vacuum tube radios or televisions? If not, you might find a hobbyist/restorer in your area. These old sets need a total recapping done to the Electronics before you even think about applying power again. I would not advise powering up that Zenith TV of yours until the Electronics has been evaluated.

These old Zenith round screens are highly sought after by collectors. Its more valuable to you because it has family history.

[2009cesarillo]

I think I could watch this for hours.

[RedDodge1968]

Beautiful TV, I had to check it out when you told me of it, hope mine comes out that good when I am finished. So far it is still playing great!

[JimBrinkley1]

Wow! I have one of the Zenith Portholes. When I bought it 20 yrs ago it still worked. Anyone want to buy it? Shoot me an email at antmeeks60@yahoo.com

[inkey2]

wow....for back then that was a monster of a picture tube wasn't it?

[ehsmoser]

Yeah it does look like a modern day dryer :-)

Still its a very eloquently looking TV in my home.

[rockosti]

wow ... a dryer with a tv in it.... wow

[southwick331]

Radiation King!



[joernone]

Just stumbled across this vid. Great restoration job, my friend. A very large salute to you.

I'm dying to get my hands on a Zenith porthole. Been wanting to own and restore one for a very long time. I hope it'll happen sooner rather than later, and would be very satisfied if it turned out at least half as nice as yours. I'm very impressed with what you did. Ya done good.

Regards,

John

Badrestorer

[fromthesidelines]

Most of these "Porthole" models were still in use when this October 1953 episode of "LETTER TO LORETTA" first aired...