TheRed1
Console Conservationist
Yes, we all know Fisher Radio Corp. was founded in 1945 - but Avery Fisher always preferred to hearken back to the founding of his first company, Philharmonic Radio Co., in 1937. You could hardly blame him. It was, after all, the same company in all but name: same product, same employees (mostly) and the same corporate mission - high fidelity. Almost from its beginnings, Fisher was celebrating its 10th Anniversary, an event marked by the introduction of their very impressive 'Anniversary' model.
1947
1957
In 1957 there were special 'Anniversary' models with two-tone, silver and brass faceplates to mark their 20th anniversary. The countdown to the 25th anniversary actually began in 1960 with the donation of the '37 Philharmonic Futura to the Smithsonian and the associated publicity (and controversy) that event created.
The math gets a little odd here, though. The 1960 console catalog begins the countdown to the 25th anniversary at 22 years when it really should have been 23 (1960-1937=23, right?). This seeming error continued with the 1961 catalog proclaiming a quality tradition 23 years young and the 1962 catalog - which should have been the anniversary year - stating, consistently, a corporate age of 24. The answer may have had something to do with when the model year began, when the catalogs were written and printed and - perhaps critically - that Philharmonic was founded very late in 1937. Their first ad in the NY Times ran in late Nov. 1937. Perhaps Mr. Fisher was just being scrupulously honest. Perhaps his observance of the 25th anniversary in 1963 reflects that the Philharmonic models which were produced in late 1937 were, by the normal model introduction timetable conventions, really '38s.
1960
1963
The front covers of the 1960, '61 and '62 Fisher console catalogs all have the same silver 3-D Fisher "bird with note" perhaps symbolic of their Silver Anniversary. Curiously, the '63 catalog cover, despite the anniversary 'A Word To Our Patrons' has a rather plain white outline Fisher swallow on a the cover.
Fisher stopped counting the years after 1964's belated reference to their 25th anniversary. That is - until 1987's Golden Anniversary which was apparently fairly lavishly celebrated with an big do in Manhattan. I spoke with the Smithsonian's Elliot Sivowitch, who was invited up as one of the speakers that evening. I don't know much about the event beyond Mr. Sivowitch's impressions. It would be interesting to know more about who was there and what went on.
1964
So this year marks what would have been Fisher's 75th (Diamond) Anniversary. Technically, it would be in October or November - it's not really clear exactly when Philharmonic began. I'll have to see if I can render a Fisher 'bird with note' as a faceted diamond to mark the occasion. I'm sure there must have been Fisher's 'Golden Swallows' on the invitations and menus for the 50th Anniversary Gala. Anybody have one in their collection of Fisher memorabilia? I'll have to try to get hold of Mr. Sivowitch to see if he can provide further details on that evening.
I know how I'll be celebrating - more on that later. How will you all be marking the occasion?
1947
1957
In 1957 there were special 'Anniversary' models with two-tone, silver and brass faceplates to mark their 20th anniversary. The countdown to the 25th anniversary actually began in 1960 with the donation of the '37 Philharmonic Futura to the Smithsonian and the associated publicity (and controversy) that event created.
The math gets a little odd here, though. The 1960 console catalog begins the countdown to the 25th anniversary at 22 years when it really should have been 23 (1960-1937=23, right?). This seeming error continued with the 1961 catalog proclaiming a quality tradition 23 years young and the 1962 catalog - which should have been the anniversary year - stating, consistently, a corporate age of 24. The answer may have had something to do with when the model year began, when the catalogs were written and printed and - perhaps critically - that Philharmonic was founded very late in 1937. Their first ad in the NY Times ran in late Nov. 1937. Perhaps Mr. Fisher was just being scrupulously honest. Perhaps his observance of the 25th anniversary in 1963 reflects that the Philharmonic models which were produced in late 1937 were, by the normal model introduction timetable conventions, really '38s.
1960
1963
The front covers of the 1960, '61 and '62 Fisher console catalogs all have the same silver 3-D Fisher "bird with note" perhaps symbolic of their Silver Anniversary. Curiously, the '63 catalog cover, despite the anniversary 'A Word To Our Patrons' has a rather plain white outline Fisher swallow on a the cover.
Fisher stopped counting the years after 1964's belated reference to their 25th anniversary. That is - until 1987's Golden Anniversary which was apparently fairly lavishly celebrated with an big do in Manhattan. I spoke with the Smithsonian's Elliot Sivowitch, who was invited up as one of the speakers that evening. I don't know much about the event beyond Mr. Sivowitch's impressions. It would be interesting to know more about who was there and what went on.
1964
So this year marks what would have been Fisher's 75th (Diamond) Anniversary. Technically, it would be in October or November - it's not really clear exactly when Philharmonic began. I'll have to see if I can render a Fisher 'bird with note' as a faceted diamond to mark the occasion. I'm sure there must have been Fisher's 'Golden Swallows' on the invitations and menus for the 50th Anniversary Gala. Anybody have one in their collection of Fisher memorabilia? I'll have to try to get hold of Mr. Sivowitch to see if he can provide further details on that evening.
I know how I'll be celebrating - more on that later. How will you all be marking the occasion?
Last edited:
)for the Mid Atlantic FISHER Console Rescue.
