One of the advantages of owning a Zenith was the inexpensive batteries they used.  Many of the other major brands were designed to use more expensive (and many are now obsolete) types of batteries.  Zenith supplied the first set of their own brand of batteries with many radio purchases in an attractive battery box.   

  I would think that the battery box would have been one of the first things to get discarded.  Then probably the batteries once they wore out.  After all, why keep them?  That is why it is such a rarity to come across a set of these original batteries from the late 50’s or early 60’s.  Sure, none of them work any more, but what a nice touch for displays. 

Below is a look at a few of the types of batteries that Zenith has supplied with their transistor radios, and the boxes they came in.    

Check out these Batteries and battery boxes radios.

Early "Z8" batteries - Top view
Early "Z8" batteries - Bottom view
Single Sealed AA - Top view
Single sealed AA - Bottom view
Double sealed AA - Top view
Double sealed AA - bottom view
Penlight battery box - front
Penlight battery box - back view
Early "Z8" Special AA battery box - Front view
Early "Z8" AA battery box - back view
Small Z8 battery box - Front view
Small Z8 battery box - Rear view
Zenith Mercury battery brochure - outside
Zenith Mercury battery brochure - inside
Eveready AA batteries
Eveready "C" size batteries
Toshiba AA batteries
Pair of Zenith AA batteries still sealed