BRAUN SK 5 DIETER RAMS Snow Coffin Hans Gugelot Radiogram Radio Record Player
Braun SK 5 radiogram. This particular radio-phonograph combination is in very nice original cosmetic condition and full working order. It has a four speed record player, 78, 45, 33, 16 rpm. The tube radio picks up LW, MW, and UKW signals (Broadcast, Long Wave, and FM). The beautiful translucent plastic lid gave this combination its nickname “Snow White’s Coffin”. Braun products were appreciated for their technical quality and for their severe aesthetic appeal, which was defined by the visionary designer Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot (Bauhaus / Ulmer Schule HFG aka “Ulm College of Design”) whose design credo was back to purity, back to simplicity. Rationalisation and upper mounting of operational elements, combination of radio and phono functions, restriction of form to express the technical means of its production – legible particularly in the radiused edges of bent steel and perspex sheeting, an insistence upon flatness appropriate to the use of sheet materials and, more negatively, a rejection of the then ruling requirement that domestic audio equipment be sunk into a piece of heavy wooden furniture, all of these cement the truly iconic status of Rams’ and Gugelot’s SK series design. It retains the austere purity of the initial SK 4 and includes some minor technical advances, whilst avoiding the somewhat fussy detailing of the series’ ultimate design and follower, the SK 55. This item is made up from painted steel sheet (cream white color), ash veneer wooden sides and beautiful translucent acrylic lid. As already mentioned cosmetic is for it years is very good, with some very little signs of wear. Actually it’s covered by an original patina and besides the acrylic lid nothing has been cleaned (ok, the buttons/dials have been cleaned a little). Other than that it’s in original condition. So the veneers are in very good overall condition with almost no areas of significant loss, marks, gouging, staining, or other forms of major damage (very light stain is visible on the right hand side veneer). Very little light surface/usage marks on the steel sheet are visible, it’s in really nice condition. Some close-up pictures have been attached to the description to present them more precisely. Both felt’dot’ pads are present to lid. Hinges, screws and lid stay: bright & free of corrosion. Acrylic lid is without cracks, splits or markings and just shows just minor surface scratching/cleaning marks commensurate with light use. All graphics are complete. As mentioned paint finish is in very good condition with consistent color. Base board is excellent with valve map fixed on inside surface. Interior is clean, just a little dust can be seen on it (nothing has been cleaned, original condition), no rust or oxidation. Weight is approx 11.5 kg or 25.4 lb. Dimensions are approx: 58 x 24,4 x 29 cm or 22.8 x 9.6 x 11.4 inch. Built-in voltage converter for 110, 125, 150, 220 and 240 Volt. All switches and knobs work well treble, bass, etc. The platter will move in all speeds, plays records fine and loud, the needle is in good condition, the radio has some nice reception even without an external antenna. A truly design classic by Dieter Rams which is in many museum permanent collections, including MOMA and has been featured in Wallpaper magazine. You can combine this combination with original Braun L1 or L11 speakers which provide even better sound and increase the already full and powerful sound of the inbuilt speaker. Please see my other. Auctions for that and other Braun design classics. BRAUN PHONOSUPER-SK 5 RADIOGRAM // DIETER RAMS (1932- present). The clarity of form and minimalist design vocabulary associated with the German designer Dieter Rams is closely identified with the BRAUN Company. Many of his designs for domestic appliances and audio equipment feature in the permanent collections of leading museums that collect and promote design, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, in New York, which began to collect Braun products in 1958. After studying architecture at the Wiesbaden Academy of Applied Arts from 1947 to 1953 he spent three years as an apprentice cabinetmaker. This was followed by a period in architectural offices until he joined Braun in 1955. Rams epitomized the clean, austere appearance associated with a functional aesthetic and with associate designer, Hans Gugelot. The Braun range won every international design prize going. At this time he was also involved in furniture development with the designer, physicist, and entrepreneur Otto Zapf (born 1931). As Braun’s design director (from1960), he was responsible for establishing a cleanly stated and distinctive aesthetic for a wide range of products from kitchen appliances to alarm clocks, calculators, lighters, and electric razors. This aesthetic was also in tune with the outlook of the Hochschule für Gestaltung (ULMER SCHOOL), a progressive design academy with links to Braun that had been first established in 1954. His clearly articulated and austere 606-shelf unit for Vitsoe (1960) remained in production for more than 40 years. He has held a number of academic posts including, from 1981, a professorship in industrial design in Hamburg. In 1987 he became president of the German Rat-F-R-Formgebung (Design Council), which for many years had promoted the values associated with ideas of good design. In a recent design magazine (ICON), Rams is quoted as saying, As designers we have a great responsibility. I believe designers should eliminate the unnecessary. That means eliminating everything that is modish because this kind of thing is only short lived. Dieter Rams has received many international design awards throughout his career and his work is considered to be design classics of the highest. In full working order. Very good original cosmetic vintage condition. Little patina visible, can be cleaned or leave it in this condition. As shown on pictures. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Please no personal or postal checks. Super equipment, made by Braun. The item “BRAUN SK 5 DIETER RAMS Snow Coffin Hans Gugelot Radiogram Radio Record Player” is in sale since Friday, March 6, 2020. This item is in the category “Antiques\Periods/Styles\Modernist”. The seller is “vende_se” and is located in Werdohl. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Model: SK 5
- Featured Refinements: Dieter Rams
- Style: Industrial
- Age: 1960-1980
- Maker: Braun
- Material: Wood/Metal
- Type: Radiogram
- Original/Repro: Original