A Detailed Review of this Late-Depression-Era
Masterpiece of Style, Value, and Performance

Introduction: A Radio for a Changing World
In 1937, as North America slowly emerged from the depths of the Great Depression, radio had become more than a luxury—it was a vital connection to the wider world. Into this landscape came the Silvertone model 4663, a thoughtfully designed tabletop receiver sold through the vast catalog network of Sears, Roebuck & Co.

The 4663 was not intended to be the most expensive or technologically extravagant radio of its day. Instead, it was something arguably more important: a well-balanced, affordable, and stylish receiver that delivered impressive performance to the average household. It stands today as an enduring example of how good design, smart engineering, and mass distribution could converge into a truly iconic product.

Sears and the Silvertone Philosophy
The Silvertone name itself was never a manufacturer—it was a brand. Sears built its empire on accessibility, and its radios reflected that mission.

Rather than producing radios in-house, Sears contracted leading manufacturers to build sets under the Silvertone label. In the case of the 4663, the chassis was produced by Stewart-Warner, one of the most respected radio makers of the era in the US and by Dominion Electrohome in Canada.

Manufacture and Origin: An International Footprint
The Silvertone 4663 was:

o   Manufactured in the United States

o   Distributed through Sears’ Chicago-based catalog system

o   Produced during the 1937–1938 model year

Its inclusion in the Fall/Winter 1937 Sears catalog places it squarely in one of the most dynamic periods in radio history—when shortwave listening, international awareness, and improved electronics were reshaping consumer expectations.
 

Original Selling Price: Affordable Excellence

The model 4663 sold for:

$22.95 USD in 1937

At a time when many families were still financially cautious, this price point was carefully chosen:

> Affordable, but not “cheap”

> Accessible to working households

> Competitive with other 6-tube radios

In today’s terms, this equates roughly to $450–$500 USD, placing it firmly in the mid-range consumer category.
This pricing strategy was central to Sears’ success: delivering maximum perceived value per dollar.

Technical Design and Performance: A Six-Tube Superheterodyne
At the heart of the 4663 is a 6-tube superheterodyne circuit, the gold standard of radio design in the 1930s.

Circuit and Tubes

Typical tube lineup included:

1. 6A8G – converter

2. 6K7G / 6U7G – IF amplifier

3. 6B6G / 6Q7G – detector and audio

4. 6V6G or 6K6G – output

5. 6U5 – “magic eye” tuning indicator

6. 6X5G or 5W4G – rectifier

With an intermediate frequency of approximately 465 kHz, the set offered stable tuning and solid selectivity.

Reception Capabilities
The 4663 was designed for versatility:

~  Standard AM broadcast band

~  Shortwave bands for international listening

~  In some versions, a police band

This multi-band capability was a major selling point. In the late 1930s, shortwave listening connected families to:

~  European broadcasts

~  International news

~  Early global cultural exchange

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Audio and Speaker System
The radio featured a:

6-inch electrodynamic speaker with field coil

This type of speaker provided:

^@  Warm, full-bodied audio

^@  Better bass response than smaller permanent-magnet designs

^@  Efficient integration with the power supply

For a mid-priced radio, its sound quality was notably strong.

Cabinet Design: The Height of Late-Depression Styling
The Silvertone 4663 is perhaps best remembered for its cabinet.

Form and Construction

Wooden tombstone-style cabinet

Approximately 15.5 inches tall

Compact but visually commanding

Unlike earlier cathedral designs, the tombstone form conveyed a more modern, streamlined aesthetic.

Visual Elements
Typical features included:

A large, centrally placed dial

Graceful curved or stepped front panels

Symmetrical grille patterns

The iconic green “magic eye” tuning indicator

The dial often displayed international station names, reinforcing the radio’s global reach.

Collectors frequently note that Silvertone styling peaked between 1936 and 1938, and the 4663 is a prime example of this design maturity.

Variants and Production Differences
Like many Sears radios, the 4663 was not a single fixed design.

Two known chassis variants include:

100.158

101.471

Differences could include:

Slight tube lineup changes

Band coverage variations

Minor circuit refinements

This flexibility allowed Sears to source production from multiple suppliers while maintaining a consistent model identity.

Performance in Everyday Use
For the average 1937 household, the 4663 offered:

~  Strong reception on local AM stations

~  Access to distant shortwave broadcasts

~  Smooth tuning aided by the magic eye

~  Rich audio for music and speech

 

Cultural and Historical Context
The late 1930s were a turning point in global history. Radio played a crucial role in shaping public awareness.
Silvertone radios, including the 4663, became:

~  Sources of breaking international news

~  Tools for education and entertainment

~  Companions in homes across North America

As tensions escalated in Europe and Asia, shortwave listening gained importance. Radios like the 4663 allowed ordinary citizens to hear voices from across the globe—often in real time.

Collector Perspective
Today, the Silvertone 4663 is appreciated for several reasons:

Strengths
Classic late-1930s tombstone design

Appealing proportions and dial layout

Reliable 6-tube performance

Magic eye feature

Market Observations

  > Collector sales have ranged widely depending on condition

  > Examples have sold in the $300 – $700+ USD ($400 – $950 CDN) range in restored or excellent condition

  > Original finish examples, especially with intact grille cloth and bright eye tubes, command a premium.

Conclusion: A Radio That Got Everything Right
 

The 1937 Silvertone model 4663 is not the rarest radio, nor the most technically advanced. But that is precisely why it matters.

It represents a moment when:

Technology became accessible

Design reached a high point of elegance

Retail innovation brought quality into everyday homes

Built by Stewart-Warner and sold by Sears, Roebuck & Co., the 4663 stands as a testament to collaboration between engineering and commerce.

It is, in many ways, the perfect mid-range radio of its time—a set that delivered beauty, performance, and value in equal measure.

And nearly ninety years later, it still speaks
— both electrically and historically
 — with remarkable clarity.