kolsterbr: Unknown KB radio with Belgium components
? kolsterbr: Unknown KB radio with Belgium components
Please, more information is sought on this radio.
Below is some information sent to me by Joris Van Campenhout
Found in the book:
De ontluiking, opkomst en bloei van de Belgische radio-elektrische nijverheid en omroep in het interbellum (1919-1939),
by Brecht Bostyn the following text (translated by Google):
- The set uses some Belgian components: capacitors of B.B. (a Brussels components manufacturer, capacitors of the Antwerp division of Bell Telephone
- the rear panel fuse is made by Gardy, a Brussels company
- The tubes carry the licence certificate of SEM and SBR, two Belgian radio companies
- the tuning scale is made for Belgium.
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kolsterbr: Unknown KB radio with Belgium components

We recently introduced a similar case for Belgium, the Lorenz 636. There was virtually no evidence for a custom production of Lorenz sets for the Belgian market, but with a bit of research the origin (Radiobell 636) could be found, as well as some sparse information about the brand - justifying the creation of Lorenz Belgium.
The 636 also carrys the brand, model type, and a date mark on the dial, similar to this one.
As Bell Telephone (also owned by ITT) produced Radiobell and Lorenz sets, it's not unthinkable that a British design (KB 2031 AC?) found its way into production.
The site of Thierry Magis (radiocollection.be) names Kolster-Brandes as a brand that was distributed by Bell. So there might have been models devised for the Belgian market, and even produced by Bell. One such example would be the Kolster Brandes No.1 which is a Radiobell 535 "clone".
Either way these cases are uncommon and scarce, and little to no information can be found - with the exception of the radio in question:
It's the/a 1934 model Kolster-Brandes, advertised by J. Duponselle, official reseller of the Radiophonie Belge, between January and March 1934, sadly without a type number. The cabinet is obviously that of KB444. I will upload the advertisement to the model.
These models could be grouped together under a new brand entry for Kolster-Brandes in Belgium.
Kind regards
Mark
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kolsterbr: Unknown KB radio with Belgium components
Hi Mark
Although the "look" of the cabinet is very similar to the KB 444 there is a distinct difference in size. The KB 444 is 520mm wide whereas the "Unknown" one is 555mm wide.
regards
Mike
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