1970s Radio Appraisal

Vintage Holiday 8-Transistor Portable AM Radio

This is a vintage portable transistor radio from approximately the 1960s, branded under the 'Holiday' name. The unit features a classic mid-century rectangular silhouette with a prominent black plastic swing-handle on a chrome-finished metal wire frame. The front face is characterized by a dual-tone design: a large, perforated champagne-gold or silver-toned metal speaker grille on the left—featuring a distinctive embossed four-pointed starburst motif—and a solid metallic panel on the right. The branding 'HOLIDAY' is displayed in a black rectangular badge at the bottom left. The right side contains a square black tuning window labeled '8 TRANSISTOR' with stylized cursive text above it reading 'HIGH SENSITIVITY'. To the far right, a vertical thumbwheel dial is visible for frequency adjustment. The radio's casing is constructed of textured black plastic or faux-leather wrap over a hard frame. Condition-wise, the item exhibits significant signs of age and use, including surface grime, oxidation on the metal accents, several small rust spots on the faceplate, and localized wear on the casing edges. The 'High Sensitivity' text is slightly faded, and the overall patina suggests a well-used survivor piece. The craftsmanship is typical of 1960s Japanese-made imports, emphasizing compact solid-state electronics in a decorative, portable housing.