Popular Entertainment - Overview

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.
The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.
"Popular Entertainment - Overview" showing 1 items.
RCA Victor CP-5203 Turntable
- Description
- This model CP-5203 45 RPM turntable was manufactured by the RCA Victor Company around 1949. The black plastic motor-mount and turntable are housed in a wooden case with brass hinges and brass-plated corners. The turntable could be locked with the key; opening the case reveals a brass plate that reads “RCA Victor.” In 1947 RCA Victor introduced the “Berkshire” line of custom built combination radio-phonograph-television cabinets meant to serve as a home’s entertainment center. In 1949 RCA Victor introduced its 45 rpm format records and issued this 45 rpm turntable attachment to the Berkshire line to allow it to play the new format.
- date made
- ca 1949
- maker
- Radio Corporation of America
- ID Number
- EM*330658
- catalog number
- 330658
- accession number
- 1978.0824
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

