The contraints of old-fashioned printing methods were thrown to the winds in this bold, even brash box design from Sony.

Graphics always have a subtext and the subtext here is: I'm fresh, I'm loud, buy me! Yes, it's a good-looking box. Gone is the gold foil and the ribbon of earlier models. And this box isn't velvet lined like the competition was still doing. No, this box is about messaging, and utility, and efficiency. And there's a good-looking Sony radio inside of it! We are looking at this radio just as I got it many years ago. I could be wrong but I think the case would not have already been on the radio when originally shipped from Sony. Still, there is room for the radio with the case on it, so it could be. I suspect, though, that the case was originally rolled up and stashed in that little compartment on the left which holds an antenna wire, a strap, and an earphone in its own little leather case.

And speaking of leather, these thin, gray leather cases were a nice look. Modern too. Instead of evoking the brown leather saddles and straps of the 19th century, these thin leather cases suggested the 20th century fine leather of driving gloves. It's a turn from the past to the future. The TR-609 is one of the best looking radios in the horizontal coat-pocket category. The use of a random textured plastic in some areas makes its Sony debut on this model. Harking back to Sony's TR-6 radio, this model features strap attachments on the side. In a unique and nice touch, the chrome attachments here collapse back to the radio when not in use.

A thumbscrew is used to hold on the back, rather than rely on the little plastic tabs that proved so prone to breaking off on these little radios. This one uses four penlight batteries in a holder that attaches with a 9-volt style battery clip. I wonder how many people put 9 volt batteries in this radio. And what happened? Sony calls this model a "six transistor reflex type super het."

And here's the "Instruction for Use" with more, and different graphics. The art department was having fun with this radio.

And the specifications. And the slogan: Sony Means Quality.

I've seen this model only in two color schemes, both with this grayish white front. There's a darker gray back and trim on this model, and on this one a brick red color.

The Sony TR-609 from around 1960.

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