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Accession #	1995.14
Designer	John Vassos
Manufacturer	RCA (Radio Corporation of America)
Title	RCA Victor Special Model K, Portable Electric Phonograph
Date	ca. 1935
Medium	Aluminum, various metals, plastic, felt, leather
Dimensions	closed: 7 3/4 x 16 1/4 x 17 1/4 in. (19.7 x 41.3 x 43.8 cm)
Marks	Painted in black on metal plate attached to side of case between clasps and above speaker vents: "RCA Victor Special" in script. The number "353" is stamped in two places on the exterior of the case at the right side of the hinge. The inside bottom of the motor compartment has two paper labels affixed to it, one listing all the patent numbers for the phonograph parts and another with a diagram of the motor compartment.
Credit Line	Gift of Benno Bordiga, by exchange
Location	Visible Storage: Case 17, Shelf P (Contemporary Design)
Description	Portable phonograph. Exterior: square aluminum case with rounded corners and edges; mottled brown plastic handle and inset volume control dial at top; two metal clasps and cut-out vents for speaker along one side; two halves of case hinged at other side; four rubber feet on bottom. Surface of case has allover satin polish finish with two highly polished raised decorative bands running across front and sides of case about 4" inches from top and bottom edges. Interior: bottom half of case contains the motor compartment covered by a chrome-plated metal deck with leather strap at one edge; deck supports the turntable, needle arm, semi-domed speaker, and other controls. Turntable is chromed metal lined with black felt; needle arm is black plastic rectangular shaft with oval "head" and metal accents. Lid of case is lined with black plastic imitation leather; contains file holder for records with black sheet metal dividers with plastic tabs at top and silver-colored metal front plate which is hinged along bottom to allow access to records. When case is open, carrying handle is at proper right. The phonograph is battery-operated, and the rectangular battery has been removed. Condition: Good; shows use; scratches and corrosion to metals.

Curatorial Remarks: This battery-powered, portable record player made it possible to play music anywhere. The lid contains a compartment for storing records. On January 4, 1936, Billboard magazine began publishing its hit parade, and the term “Number 1 record” was born. The top three artists for 1936 were musical stars Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, who charted with theme songs “Pennies from Heaven” and “The Way You Look Tonight” from their movies, and chanteuse Billie Holiday, whose hit was a rendition of “Summertime.”