Polk portable

[lakesideglenn]

Happy Holidays to all my fellow wind-up phono fans!
Does anybody know anything about Polk suitcase portables? I just won one on ebay and should have it in a day or so. Any history or info much appreciated!
Cheers!
Glenn

[JohnM]

They were sold by the James K. Polk department stores, a regional chain operating in the southern Appalachians and based out of North Carolina, I think. Maybe Knoxville or Chattanooga, I can't recall. Polk portables are pretty common in the mountains.

[estott]

The ones I've seen are pretty decently made, but they're nothing unusual and were probably built by Prime or Watters-Conley. Some are pretty flashy with gold colored stamped designs contrasting with colored imitation leather. If it has a pot metal arm treat it carefully.

[David Spanovich]

Is it this snazzy looking red one?

Polk1.JPG (19.05 KiB) Viewed 1291 times

Polk2.JPG (32.37 KiB) Viewed 1291 times

Polk3.JPG (30.79 KiB) Viewed 1291 times

That probably dates from around the early to mid-1940s.

I had a similar model made by Birch. Once the soundbox was restored with fresh rubber gaskets it sounded great.

DS

[estott]

That's a very snappy one, and I'd say it's made by Prime mfg of Milwaukee and should have a decently long horn which wraps around the motor. These machines can put out a decent sound if the soundbox is in good shape.

[lakesideglenn]

That's the one. I'm picking it up this afternoon and will post a review once I check it out. Seemed like a pretty good deal for $59, especially since I can try before I buy.
Stay tuned!