looking for a radio

im looking for a radio to go on my grandparents jacobean radio table. i currently have the table in a bedroom with an 20's -30's english armoir and end table , brass bed and an art deco how front dresser from 1910 that was sold as an attempt to see if art deco would catch on. anywho i currently have a 51 ge 414 that works well but ive always wanted a tombstone/cathedral radio or any pre war set for the matter, and i was wondering what i should look for when i look for a radio.
i found a zenith tombstone for 40$ complete but non working and had peeling veneer locally but i want to keep my options open and i will be going to a large flea market next week to look. there also happens to be an antique mega store nearby that has 150+ vendors, in store repairs and clocksmiths , and you can test electrics at checkout, last time i was there there they let a guy test a philco butterfly model and remove the back to look it over further. which is neat

Be VERY VERY careful when plugging in an antique radio. As matter of fact-don't. You could potentially fry the power source then all you have is a pile of spare parts. Any Zenith will be fine along Philco's. Pretty much assume you will have to have the chassis rebuilt. It may only take a recapping, it may take more. What about a chair side model?

Mike

I like the chair side models just don't have the room I was tempted on a philco bing Crosby but the working tag ment that it turned on and I am just getting into radio repairs and don't risk damaging an higher end model. I saw a 46 westinghouse for 20$ complete so might use it as a starter project
I ended up getting a 35 rca t4 8a that had been gone through and the repair man added fuses in case of a power surge and he also sells am broadcasters for 100$

Another 'take care' is that some early radios don't have an earth cable and their metal frame is 'live' (positive).

The radio I ended up with
The case and grill cloth are in great shape
I'm greatly pleased with the restoration job