EH Scott Radio Enthusiasts

The Fine Things are Always Hand Made

E.H. SCOTT’S PERSONAL “SCOTT SPECIAL,”  ALL THREE OF THEM?

Here are photos of three different “Scott Specials” all with the custom engrave inscriptions plates that say, “SCOTT SPECIAL COMMUNICATIOS RECEIVER CUSTOM BUILT FOR E.H SCOTT  BY E.H. SCOTT LABORATORIES.” screwed to center front area of each radio. So, my question is, how did three out of around 20 Scott Special built, nearly 15% of this radio’s production, end up being built for E.H. Scott?

Views: 282

Attachments:

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

My suspicion on them is this...EH probably personally tested/used every one of the Specials that was built prior to sending them out to the new owner. The tag itself may be the same one, moved (small screw rivets) to each set for photo ops. There are a number of different knobs used and other minor differences between the known sets, I do have an extensive record of the gory details of each known Special. Given my theory - I might be able to identify potential "this is that set" sorts of things from the details. I'll have to give this some thought...

Kent.. the October 1939 Scott News has the feature story on the "Scott Special" where Scott is quoted saying he build the radio for himself which I think fits with you thoughts on the subject here. Two of these photos in my post here are from the that story. In this feature story Scott is shown using his "Scott Special," shown in Scott's home den, has a black plate on it. I know of one of these radios is in existence do you have records on the other two besides the one Joe Koester's estate recently sold? Joe reported that his "Scott Special" was given too E.H. Scotts personal banker. If the story is true, that's quite a gift to give to your banker, worth $750 at the time! That like over $14,000 gift today. 

Kent King said:

My suspicion on them is this...EH probably personally tested/used every one of the Specials that was built prior to sending them out to the new owner. The tag itself may be the same one, moved (small screw rivets) to each set for photo ops. There are a number of different knobs used and other minor differences between the known sets, I do have an extensive record of the gory details of each known Special. Given my theory - I might be able to identify potential "this is that set" sorts of things from the details. I'll have to give this some thought...

Joe Koester's estate? Joe hasn't ever had a Special, and he's still going strong...who are you thinking of?

Sorry Kent wrong Joe... I meant Joe Holser!

Kent King said:

Joe Koester's estate? Joe hasn't ever had a Special, and he's still going strong...who are you thinking of?

Oh, that estate/set haven't gone anywhere yet. I'm well aware of it, but it's going to be awhile before it is on the market.

Kent

I do enjoy talking about the Scott Special. Regarding the knobs, there are several styles known on existing sets:

and the knobs shown in the Scott News:

which have not been seen on any of the known sets...although one has what I believe to be replaced knobs that are very similar to these. 

Also, the sets may be found with either porcelain or bakelite tube sockets:

More to come....

Here are the known serial numbers and tags:

Known Scott Specials:
JJ-251 no tag
JJ-252 "William C Smith"
JJ-253 "William J Connery"
JJ-254 "D. W. Moser"
JJ-256 "Andrew Cruse"
JJ-257 no tag
JJ-264 "E. H. Scott"
JJ-267 no tag
JJ-269 "New Zealand Legation"
JJ-271 no tag

Andrew Cruse is interesting - he appears in Scott's list of famous owners, and is listed as "Federal Communications Commission". The FCC was started in 1934, and it would not be at all surprising to have someone associated with it owning such a set. Nothing else has been found on the other owners. The New Zealand Legation set supposedly was in the consulate in Chicago - but I haven't verified that.

Oh, there is one other existing set, but the owner has never let anyone see it and doesn't respond to inquiries....Puett had pictures of it in his newsletter. Was on the east coast at that time (1980s) and is distinctive in a wood cabinet. 

Kent King said:

Here are the known serial numbers and tags:

Known Scott Specials:
JJ-251 no tag
JJ-252 "William C Smith"
JJ-253 "William J Connery"
JJ-254 "D. W. Moser"
JJ-256 "Andrew Cruse"
JJ-257 no tag
JJ-264 "E. H. Scott"
JJ-267 no tag
JJ-269 "New Zealand Legation"
JJ-271 no tag

Andrew Cruse is interesting - he appears in Scott's list of famous owners, and is listed as "Federal Communications Commission". The FCC was started in 1934, and it would not be at all surprising to have someone associated with it owning such a set. Nothing else has been found on the other owners. The New Zealand Legation set supposedly was in the consulate in Chicago - but I haven't verified that.

Finally - I own the New Zealand Legation set. I won't disclose any of the other owners, but all are members here and if they wish to join the thread, that is up to them...

Kent King said:

Oh, there is one other existing set, but the owner has never let anyone see it and doesn't respond to inquiries....Puett had pictures of it in his newsletter. Was on the east coast at that time (1980s) and is distinctive in a wood cabinet. 

Kent King said:

Here are the known serial numbers and tags:

Known Scott Specials:
JJ-251 no tag
JJ-252 "William C Smith"
JJ-253 "William J Connery"
JJ-254 "D. W. Moser"
JJ-256 "Andrew Cruse"
JJ-257 no tag
JJ-264 "E. H. Scott"
JJ-267 no tag
JJ-269 "New Zealand Legation"
JJ-271 no tag

Andrew Cruse is interesting - he appears in Scott's list of famous owners, and is listed as "Federal Communications Commission". The FCC was started in 1934, and it would not be at all surprising to have someone associated with it owning such a set. Nothing else has been found on the other owners. The New Zealand Legation set supposedly was in the consulate in Chicago - but I haven't verified that.



Kent King said:

Finally - I own the New Zealand Legation set. I won't disclose any of the other owners, but all are members here and if they wish to join the thread, that is up to them...

Kent King said:

Oh, there is one other existing set, but the owner has never let anyone see it and doesn't respond to inquiries....Puett had pictures of it in his newsletter. Was on the east coast at that time (1980s) and is distinctive in a wood cabinet. 

Kent King said:

Here are the known serial numbers and tags:

Known Scott Specials:
JJ-251 no tag
JJ-252 "William C Smith"
JJ-253 "William J Connery"
JJ-254 "D. W. Moser"
JJ-256 "Andrew Cruse"
JJ-257 no tag
JJ-264 "E. H. Scott"
JJ-267 no tag
JJ-269 "New Zealand Legation"
JJ-271 no tag

Andrew Cruse is interesting - he appears in Scott's list of famous owners, and is listed as "Federal Communications Commission". The FCC was started in 1934, and it would not be at all surprising to have someone associated with it owning such a set. Nothing else has been found on the other owners. The New Zealand Legation set supposedly was in the consulate in Chicago - but I haven't verified that.

Kent,

More great information, again thanks for sharing! Interesting that there are several sets of knobs used. Which knobs were the most commonly found on the 10 survivors? I also noticed that in the photos in the October 1939 Scott News that two plastic station tuning markers have a "V"  tapered shape to them and the example you show here of your Special, the "New Zealand Legation" set has rectangle plastic station tuning markers instead of the "V"  tapered shape markers. Do you know out of the set found how many have the rectangle plastics and how may have the "V" shape plastics? It look like the "V" design was on the early sets like shown in the October 1939 Scott news. Any thoughts on this design variation?

David
Kent King said:



Kent King said:

Finally - I own the New Zealand Legation set. I won't disclose any of the other owners, but all are members here and if they wish to join the thread, that is up to them...

Kent King said:

Oh, there is one other existing set, but the owner has never let anyone see it and doesn't respond to inquiries....Puett had pictures of it in his newsletter. Was on the east coast at that time (1980s) and is distinctive in a wood cabinet. 

Kent King said:

Here are the known serial numbers and tags:

Known Scott Specials:
JJ-251 no tag
JJ-252 "William C Smith"
JJ-253 "William J Connery"
JJ-254 "D. W. Moser"
JJ-256 "Andrew Cruse"
JJ-257 no tag
JJ-264 "E. H. Scott"
JJ-267 no tag
JJ-269 "New Zealand Legation"
JJ-271 no tag

Andrew Cruse is interesting - he appears in Scott's list of famous owners, and is listed as "Federal Communications Commission". The FCC was started in 1934, and it would not be at all surprising to have someone associated with it owning such a set. Nothing else has been found on the other owners. The New Zealand Legation set supposedly was in the consulate in Chicago - but I haven't verified that.

The knobs and tuning pointers on my set are (by far) the most common. Six sets have these knobs, 3 have the solid round knobs, only one known has the white pointers. The tuning indicators are 8 rectangular - so that wins by far. One of the sets that has V shaped pointers really appears to be repro/modern units made for it - the originals were probably missing.

Kent

Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2024   Created by Kent King.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service