Majestic Model 59 "Studio" Art Deco Tombstone Radio (1933)
The Majestic model 59 "studio" is a compact but highly
collectible depression era tombstone radio. With its
finely polished aluminium grille bars, twin escutcheons,
contrasting two-tone veneers and machine-like knobs it
truly has a majestic appearance that screams "art deco"
whichever way you look at it!
It covers two bands, standard broadcast (535-1550kc)
and shortwave (1480-4440kc), selected using a switch
on the chassis at the rear. Precision tuning is achieved
through the use of a 5.5:1 planetary drive on the tuning
condensor.
It features an interesting and somewhat unconventional
five-tube superhet chassis that has not one but two IF
stages. Because of its use of "duo" type tubes, its
five-tube line up is equivalent to many other
manufacturer's 6 and 7 tube receivers. The complement
is:- 6A7-S (LO/mixer), 6F7-S pentode/triode (1st IF amp
pentode/1st af amp triode), 6B7-S twin-diode/pentode
(2nd IF amp pentode/2nd detector diode/AVC diode),
42 (AF power amp), 80 rectifier.
The S designation on several of the tube types is taken
directly from the tube diagram attached inside the radio
and is also found on the schematic (see link below). It
signifies Majestic tube types having spray-on shielding
(see foot of page). Some of the original types are still
within this set!
collectible depression era tombstone radio. With its
finely polished aluminium grille bars, twin escutcheons,
contrasting two-tone veneers and machine-like knobs it
truly has a majestic appearance that screams "art deco"
whichever way you look at it!
It covers two bands, standard broadcast (535-1550kc)
and shortwave (1480-4440kc), selected using a switch
on the chassis at the rear. Precision tuning is achieved
through the use of a 5.5:1 planetary drive on the tuning
condensor.
It features an interesting and somewhat unconventional
five-tube superhet chassis that has not one but two IF
stages. Because of its use of "duo" type tubes, its
five-tube line up is equivalent to many other
manufacturer's 6 and 7 tube receivers. The complement
is:- 6A7-S (LO/mixer), 6F7-S pentode/triode (1st IF amp
pentode/1st af amp triode), 6B7-S twin-diode/pentode
(2nd IF amp pentode/2nd detector diode/AVC diode),
42 (AF power amp), 80 rectifier.
The S designation on several of the tube types is taken
directly from the tube diagram attached inside the radio
and is also found on the schematic (see link below). It
signifies Majestic tube types having spray-on shielding
(see foot of page). Some of the original types are still
within this set!
The cabinet of this set is constructed from quarter-sliced birch with two-tone finish - ebony and natural. The original purchase price
was $46.75, complete to the aerial. An original Majestic ad featuring this model, from Dec 1933, can be seen here. The schematic
can be found under Grigsby-Grunow Model 59 at NostalgiaAir.
Majestic was the trade name of the Grigsby-Grunow Company of Chicago, which began making radios in 1928. Founded by the
partners W. Grunow and B. Grigsby, the company at first enjoyed meteoric success, buoyed by its superior loudspeaker
technology. By some accounts, in 1929 it outsold all other radio manufacturers. Unfortunately, by late 1933, the year of my model
59's manufacture, they were in receivership and in March of 1934 were declared bankrupt, another victim of the Great Depression.
The company was re-formed, however, into the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation, which continued manufacturing and later
marketing radios under the Majestic name until at least the middle fifties. William Grunow had left the company in 1931 to form
General Household Utilities, which made radios under the Grunow name until 1937.
was $46.75, complete to the aerial. An original Majestic ad featuring this model, from Dec 1933, can be seen here. The schematic
can be found under Grigsby-Grunow Model 59 at NostalgiaAir.
Majestic was the trade name of the Grigsby-Grunow Company of Chicago, which began making radios in 1928. Founded by the
partners W. Grunow and B. Grigsby, the company at first enjoyed meteoric success, buoyed by its superior loudspeaker
technology. By some accounts, in 1929 it outsold all other radio manufacturers. Unfortunately, by late 1933, the year of my model
59's manufacture, they were in receivership and in March of 1934 were declared bankrupt, another victim of the Great Depression.
The company was re-formed, however, into the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation, which continued manufacturing and later
marketing radios under the Majestic name until at least the middle fifties. William Grunow had left the company in 1931 to form
General Household Utilities, which made radios under the Grunow name until 1937.
The Seven-Point Superiority of Seal-Shielding At no extra Cost
Seal-Shielding is exclusive to Rogers and Majestic |
Majestic. You have never seen such good-looking radios...
Reproduced below is a listing of the "advantages" of the Majestic Spray-Shielding (called Seal-Shielding by the Canadian
Rogers Corporation who used the Majestic tubes). Extracted from a Canadian newspaper dated Dec 1933.
Rogers Corporation who used the Majestic tubes). Extracted from a Canadian newspaper dated Dec 1933.
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