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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 1
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 2
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 3
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 4
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 5
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 6
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 7
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 8
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 9
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 10
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  • GEC BC7443R Radiogram SW MW LW & Collaro Hi-Fidelity RC45, C.1956, Spares Repair 11
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Description

"If you happen to live in the mid-1950s, the absolutely splendid GEC BC7445R is one of the finest radiograms available to purchase - a fine addition to any home, it's equipped with a radio receiver capable of tuning into programming broadcast on the short, medium and longwave bands, while a super Collaro High Fidelity RC phonograph enables the owner to play both 78 and 33rpm recordings - and even those new-fangled 45rpm "singles" that all the young people are talking about. Indeed, when I visited my local home electronics showroom to inspect the latest wirelesses, there were a group of youngsters becoming really quite excited about how they'd be able to play music by a popular group calling themselves Bill Haley and His Comets - they sound like a bunch of ne'er-do-well rascals to me, but anyhoo, no matter: I'm certain that this "rock and roll" craze will soon peter out..."

Anyhoo, the BC7445R really was a very good record player/radio back in 1954, and remarkably compact too when compared to the sideboard-sized models of only a few years before, largely because of the huge advances made in vacuum tubes during the War - GEC, heavily involved in developing new technology for the war effort, had grown from being one of the largest and most profitable businesses in Britain to one of the largest and most profitable in the world: one of the world leaders in military and scientific electronics, they were ideally placed to become one of the most respected manufacturers of domestic electronics too. The BC7445R was the second-tier model in their line-up, one step below the BC7445 with its even better Garrard RC110 autochanger record player but sharing the same radio, five-valve architecture and permanent dynamic magnet moving coil loudspeaker.

This one, sadly, hasn't been very well cared for and as a result it's showing its age - the wooden cabinet is in a bad way with lots of peeling veneer and the turntable platter has perished and cracked, ad as the power cable has been removed we can't even be sure that it works - it's definitely a restoration project, or a source of spare parts for a better one undergoing restoration, and for that reason we're selling under the understanding that it's spares or repair and sold as seen.

Included with the radiogram is the original maintenance manual and a 12-page GEC catalogue printed in 1956, which reveals that when it was new the radiogram cost 39 guineas - worth about £1338 today (though, as noted in ballpoint pen next to the listing, the first owner got a real bargain and paid only 29 guineas).

• Model: GEC (General Electric Co Ltd., GENALEX) BC7443R Table Auto-Radiogram
• Type: Tabletop compact, wooden case with hinged lid
• Date of Manufacture: Circa 1956
• Made: England
• Radio: 3-band (short wave, medium wave, long wave) plus logging scale
• Phonogram: Collaro High Fidelity RC45, 33/45/78rpm, auto changer
• Speaker: Mono; elliptical permanent magnetic dynamic with moving coil
• Valves: Osram X79, Osram W77, Osram DH77, Osram N78, Osram U78
• Dial Lamps: 2x 6.5V 0.3A with Osram OS75 bulbs
• Aerial: Built-in frame aerial; sockets for "normal and earth"
• Connections: Socket for auxiliary speaker
• Power: AC 200/230/250V
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 51.5 x 38 x 26cm (19.5 x 15 x 10.25 inches); Height 57cm (22.5 inches) with lid open
• Weight: 14.074kg (31lb)

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

We only accept payments made through one of eBay's many approved methods. Please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within two working days.

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Hermes to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which requires a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Retail Hub Sawston Map
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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.