While novelty radios have been around a long time, it was the 60's and 70's that brought us most Novelty radios. They are still being made today but in fewer styles. Some are figural; some are advertising for a product; and some are unique ideas from well known design studios. As costs for all old radios increase(including the early transistor sets)most Novelty radios are still affordable making this is a great place for a novice collector to start. You can build a very nice collection for less that what you'd pay for one original "Bluebird" or "Mike Todd Regency" radio.

For most collectors, visual condition is the most important aspect of Novelty radios. The electronics of many were cheap by design to begin with and as components age they may be almost useless as a radio if they still work at all. If you want a radio to listen to, you may be dissappointed. There were some good-sounding high quality Novelty radios made but these are the exception so I suggest that you collect these for their visual appeal. Original boxes and packaging for most of these is long gone and can increase value, but rarely to the extent it does with other types of radios. Most of these are AM only but some are AM-FM or AM-SW, and sometimes a style was produced all 3 ways, like the "Globe" radios.

Now for some do's and don'ts. Do remove the batteries in any electronics you aren't using. Don't use strong cleaners as they can sometimes ruin the printing and/or the plastic. Do remove corrosion from battery terminals carefully as it is still corrosive, then lightly oil to slow further corrosion. Don't pay too much,  you might be better off waiting for a better price on a more common radio. Do read the seller's feedback, especially concerning packaging; many plastics become very brittle with age and shippers are rarely gentle these days. Don't subject your Novelty radios to direct sunlight or heat as it can rapidly discolor them, especially white plastics. Do check on shipping costs from overseas sellers, it may cost more than the radio itself. Don't buy incomplete sets as some parts(like styled knobs)are unobtainable. Do have a theme in mind as you'll never be able to collect every style of the thousands of Novelty radios out there!

There are several good books on this subject but the prices and rarity they indicate may be wildly off. Most of them were printed long before Ebay and the internet brought the items in everyone's garages and closets to market. Generally they are good guides but beware the exceptions.  This area of radio collecting is relatively new and uncomplicated so you don't have to worry about fakes and myriad model variations, just that you like what you see and pay a fair price for it.

Some Novelty radios are indeed rare and command a high price. The Toshiba "Rice Rowl" and the Sharp BH 352 "Rocket Ship" are but two of these and often sell for well over $150 US. Some, like many "can-shaped" shaped and "advertising" radios, were produced in the tens of thousands or were given away in quantity as promos. Many Ebay sellers are unaware that the 'rare' radio they have listed is actually quite common so don't rely on their assessment alone. That sometimes lets you find find a rare set cheaply on Ebay when the seller doesn't describe it in the usual terms. I picked up a "GE Flying Saucer" for 1/4 of it's value because the seller listed it only as a "GE Transistor radio".

You never know what you'll find on Ebay when you look for Novelty Radios, so browse, buy, and have fun!