General Electric Show 'N Tell Phono-Viewer Value Guide

The General Electric Show 'N Tell Phono-Viewer is a landmark of mid-century educational technology, combining a record player with a 35mm filmstrip projector. It is highly collectible for its unique 'Picturesound' synchronization system that brought fairy tales and history lessons to life for children in the 1960s.

What Is General Electric Show 'N Tell Phono-Viewer Worth?

The typical price range for General Electric Show 'N Tell Phono-Viewer is $75 - $85 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Functional condition of the internal projection lamp and the record player's motor and stylus.
• The presence of original 'Picturesound' record and filmstrip sets, which significantly increases the set's desirability.
• Cosmetic integrity of the plastic casing, specifically looking for a lack of heat warping or cracks near the projector bulb.
• Completeness of the unit, including original knobs, the carrying handle, and the specialized filmstrip key mechanism.

How to Identify General Electric Show 'N Tell Phono-Viewer?

• Look for the distinctive General Electric branding and the 'Show 'N Tell' logo on the front of the plastic housing.
• Verify the presence of the built-in viewing screen and the specialized turntable designed for 'Picturesound' records.
• Check for the original 35mm filmstrip slot located near the record spindle which facilitates the synchronized image advancement.
• Confirm the unit features the original mid-century color schemes, typically featuring beige, blue, or wood-grain plastic finishes.

History of General Electric Show 'N Tell Phono-Viewer

Introduced by General Electric in late 1964, the Show 'N Tell was a revolutionary educational toy. It used specialized 'Picturesound' records that had a filmstrip key in the center; as the record played the audio, the device would automatically advance a 35mm filmstrip to show corresponding images on the screen. It was a staple of mid-century American childhood and featured everything from fairy tales to history lessons.