The Admiral television was manufactured in Australia by a wholely owned American subsiduary during the late 1950s. This period of early Australian television design and manufacture was dominated by Admiral with its superior (and more expensive) sets. Admiral was positioned to take advantage of the introduction of television to Australia with its experiences of designing and manufacturing televisions in North America over the previous years.

Although Admiral took a large slice of the television market in the first two years by the early sixties many factors contributed to the demise of Admiral of Australia (Pty.) Limited. This receiver was equiped with several features that separate it from the locally produced sets including - printed circuit boards and a larger and shorter picture tube.

Some events surrounding the birth and demise of Admiral in Australia are documented in a short article published by Electronics Australia (Sept & Oct 1994).

The design of the Admiral television was superior to most other locally designed and manufactured sets in Australia in the late 1950s.

Manufactured in Australia at the Bankstown plant of Admiral Aust.

Used by donors prior to being donated by their daughter in 1994.

Television, Admiral Imperial 800, timber / glass / electronic components, made by Admiral of Australia (Pty.) Limited, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1957

Late 1957 black and white television receiver. Model Imperial 800 with 21" image screen. Timber cabinet with glass enclosed screen, control knobs to the left and right above screen and speaker housed to the left. Stands on four legs. Three adjustment wheels on the left side of the case, housed vertically one above the other.

Made: Admiral of Australia Pty Ltd; Bankstown, New South Wales; 1957


Used: 1957 - 1994

On front 'Imperial 800' script font, single die cut logo inside glass face, bottom left. 'ADMIRAL' single embossed letters spaced on outside lower rim, front. Valves, tube and electronic components inside case are marked 'MADE IN AUSTRALIA'. 'A58992' printed on internal supporting tube case. Top right, speaker has triangle (logo) badge. Plug '240 VOLT', 'CAT. NO. 99' ,'10A' embossed. See multimedia tab for further specification marks printed on rear case panel.

2002/117/1

1957

915 mm

830 mm

570 mm