Emerson Model 411 (U4C) Mickey Mouse Radio (1936)
The Emerson model 411 novelty radio was manufactured and distributed by Emerson under an exclusive licensing agreement
with the Walt Disney Company, signed a short time prior to October of 1933. It was one of three Mickey Mouse sets introduced
that fall as part of Emerson's line-up for 1934. In words taken from an announcement in Radio Retailing, dated October of
1933, one of these sets was 'black with silver trimming', another was 'ivory with light green trimming' and the third, the model
411, 'walnut with carved "Mickey Mouse" characters'. The panels of the 411 are not actually carved as suggested but were
manufactured using a pressed wood composite called repwood. Each model had an introductory price in 1933 of $25.
The 411 is generally categorized as being of the 1933-34 model year. However, the 1934 (first) version of the 411 utilizes the
A-4 chassis whereas mine uses the U4C chassis, which did not appear until 1936. The schematic in the Riders manuals lists
both chassis types as being original to this set. Therefore, I consider mine (photographed) to be a "late" version from 1936.
Both versions turn up from time-to-time on internet auction sites. I have noted differences in the knobs between the two
variants, but otherwise the cabinets appear to be the same. Since writing the above I have come across a 1936 Emerson advertisement
showing this model, with a list price of $14.95. It therefore seems likely that the 411 was offered for continuous sale during the years 1933 through
1936, with a chassis upgrade for the 1936 model year.
The 4-tube U4C chassis is a Tuned-Radio-Frequency (TRF) design tuning the standard broadcast band from 540-1650kc.
The tube line-up is 6C6 (RF amp), 6D6 (biased detector), 43 (AF power amp) and 25Z5 (rectifier). A line cord with a built-in
185Ohm (17W) resistance wire ("curtain burner") is used to supply the tube filaments. It is interesting to compare Emerson's
U4B and U4C chassis. The U4B chassis was used in the 1936 model 126 (and possibly other models). It employed a ballast
tube in place of the resistance line cord but otherwise seems identical. Perhaps the smaller cabinet size of the model 411
precluded the use of a ballast tube and necessitated the more compact U4C chassis variant.
The model shown is missing its brass name tag (lower center) and brass accents (dial scale & vol/on/off) surrounding the two
knobs though the knobs themselves are original.
with the Walt Disney Company, signed a short time prior to October of 1933. It was one of three Mickey Mouse sets introduced
that fall as part of Emerson's line-up for 1934. In words taken from an announcement in Radio Retailing, dated October of
1933, one of these sets was 'black with silver trimming', another was 'ivory with light green trimming' and the third, the model
411, 'walnut with carved "Mickey Mouse" characters'. The panels of the 411 are not actually carved as suggested but were
manufactured using a pressed wood composite called repwood. Each model had an introductory price in 1933 of $25.
The 411 is generally categorized as being of the 1933-34 model year. However, the 1934 (first) version of the 411 utilizes the
A-4 chassis whereas mine uses the U4C chassis, which did not appear until 1936. The schematic in the Riders manuals lists
both chassis types as being original to this set. Therefore, I consider mine (photographed) to be a "late" version from 1936.
Both versions turn up from time-to-time on internet auction sites. I have noted differences in the knobs between the two
variants, but otherwise the cabinets appear to be the same. Since writing the above I have come across a 1936 Emerson advertisement
showing this model, with a list price of $14.95. It therefore seems likely that the 411 was offered for continuous sale during the years 1933 through
1936, with a chassis upgrade for the 1936 model year.
The 4-tube U4C chassis is a Tuned-Radio-Frequency (TRF) design tuning the standard broadcast band from 540-1650kc.
The tube line-up is 6C6 (RF amp), 6D6 (biased detector), 43 (AF power amp) and 25Z5 (rectifier). A line cord with a built-in
185Ohm (17W) resistance wire ("curtain burner") is used to supply the tube filaments. It is interesting to compare Emerson's
U4B and U4C chassis. The U4B chassis was used in the 1936 model 126 (and possibly other models). It employed a ballast
tube in place of the resistance line cord but otherwise seems identical. Perhaps the smaller cabinet size of the model 411
precluded the use of a ballast tube and necessitated the more compact U4C chassis variant.
The model shown is missing its brass name tag (lower center) and brass accents (dial scale & vol/on/off) surrounding the two
knobs though the knobs themselves are original.
| Mickey Mouse and Other Novelty Sets Add New Dimension to Radio Market The world's most popular screen star has assumed a new role. Beloved by millions, he now breaks into radio. Walt Disney, his creator, has appointed the Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corporation as exclusive manufacturers and distributors of the Mickey Mouse receiving set. The advent of a radio line, housed in cabinets of lithesome design and gay colors, may mean more than that of their special appeal to little sister Betty or brother Bob at college or to dad for his den. While these sets should make easy the path for those dealers who go after the "second" and "third" radio sale per home, already there are signs that their cosmopolitan appearance is appealing to a wide variety of merchants. Toy shops, gift, jewellery and book stores see in these sets of novelty design an attractive item. That new and radical exterior designs, and new outlets, is assuming the proportions of a trend is further evidenced by the fact that Colonial is out with a set housed in a globe of the World - of direct interest to the businessman and proprietors of map and stationary stores. Then there is that attention getting two-tube "pocket" set by International - the Kadette Jr. People are buying them for "bridge" prizes, we are informed. Radio Retailing, October 1933. |
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