Crosley “Split Grille” Catalin Radio

One of the best designed small Catalin radios is the 1938 Crosley “Split Grille”.

Having that extra slash of color through the middle of the grille accents the contrasting maroon and butterscotch colors.  Other cool design features include the curved top & bottom, the flaring out of the case, the ribbing on the top and bottom sides, and those chunky Catalin knobs.  (Photos enlarge with a click.)

Besides this dramatic color combination, alternate colors of the Crosley Model G1465 were available, including these two versions:

It’s hard to see, but the black Crosley case has swirled yellow in it.  Here’s a better angle of the beautiful look.

(Photo by Decophobia)

The Crosley is about 9-Inches wide, under 6-inches high, and about 4-inches deep.  For comparison, here it is next to a Fada Bullet.

A year after Crosley (1939), Detrola came out with a similar split grille radio.

Instead of Catalin, this Detrola Model 274 is made of Plaskon with Tenite trim.  The radio came in several great color combinations (including some Catalin cases), which are very collectible and hard to find.  Other radio brands also released more versions of the split grille design.

When I did a major reduction of my radio collection several years ago, I couldn’t part with my Crosley “Split Grille”.  Here’s one more photo of it on an antique mirror.