This Fada L-56 model is from the 1940 "Fa-Da-Scope, Fadalette, Bakelite Color Series".
Click on the radio to hear a clip from "War of the Worlds" (double-click to pause/stop)
The contrasting concentric plaskon grill was available in a variety of colors as shown below.
Some came with matching plaskon knobs as with these blue knobs and seen in the ads below.
Both the "Bakelite Color Series" and the "Catalin Group" Fada radios
used the model number L-56 with a letter suffix designating the cabinet and color.
The catalin group used the same chassis and basic cabinet style
with the exception of a contrasting louvered speaker grill.
All Fada L-56 models are rare, but the "bakelite color series" radios
are actually more elusive than the catalin versions,
most likely due to the fact that they were introduced at the same time -
and although these plaskon versions are so beautiful,
anyone faced with the choice, would likely have chosen the similarly priced,
fabulously marbled, glass-like qualities of the catalin cabinets over the plaskon versions.
The Green Jade or Blue Lapis Lazuli catalin examples have sold for over $10K at auction!
A brown bakelite version, the L-56W, an all white plaskon version, the model L-56V
and a wood cabinet version, the L-56T were also available.
The bakelite color series of the L56 can also be found as the Lafayette model JS-178 (white) or JS-177 (brown)
with "Lafayette" embossed in place of "Fada Radio" (see the advertisement below).
The original 1940 brochure shown below clears up many questions about the different Fada L-56 models.
All these were also available with an AM/Shortwave chassis as the model 57
Fada models L-26, 136, 202 and the 188 "All American" also used the same cabinet.
Fada models 136 and L56BA
(click/tap for a closer look)
