Eighty-five years ago today, the November 14, 1938, issue of Life magazine carried this ad for  the Emerson model AX-211 radio, as well as the model BM-216 radio-phono.  The radio was a five-tube set, and the radio-phono had four tubes (plus a “ballast”).

As you can see, this was a time when people dressed up to listen to the radio.  But you treat it as a formal occasion, too, if the radio provided a whole philharmonic performance from a radio the size of your hat!  According to the ad, this was possible because the sets included a “miracle tone chamber.”  It was the first time the miracle chamber had been offered in a set selling for less than $29.95.  And indeed, they were considerably below that price point.  The radio sold for $9.95, and the radio-phono went for only $19.95.

You could visit your closest dealer.  Or, if you preferred, you could mail the coupon to Emerson, and their closest dealer would bring you a set on approval, with no additional shipping charge.