Philco 60MB "Moderne" Tombstone Radio (1934)
This Philco 60MB, introduced in January of 1934, marked a milestone
for Philco in that it was their first of many tombstone style radios. The
introductory price was $37.50 ($39.50 West of the Rockies) complete.
The 'M' in the model number stands for 'Moderne' or 'Streamlined
Moderne', relating to a class of the Art Deco style that peaked in
1937. To quote from wikipedia.org "the style emphasized flowing
forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements (such
as railings and porthole windows)". The nautical ingredient of this
radio cabinet, with its bold circular lines, is readily imagined.
The Moderne models, which initially comprised the 60MB, 14MX and
18MX, represented a new and experimental direction in cabinetry for
Philco. The designs featured bold but simple geometric lines with, at
least for the early examples, finishes of natural mahogany and black
trim. They also marked Philco's first use of the black hexagonally
shaped knobs. Although the style would never become mainstream
for the company, a few radios using the M designation would
continue to be offered through 1937 and echoes of the style would
re-appear in their 1939 and 1940 line-ups (though without the M in
the model numbering).
The 60MB uses the same chassis as Philco's popular model 60B
cathedral radio, which incidentally received a moderne cabinet
upgrade at around the same time. The 5-tube superheterodyne
chassis tunes standard broadcast from 530-1500kc and shortwave
from 1.5-4.0mc. It has tube line-up:- 6A7 (mixer/LO), 78 (IF), 75
(second detector/af amp), 42 (output) and 80 (rectifier).
for Philco in that it was their first of many tombstone style radios. The
introductory price was $37.50 ($39.50 West of the Rockies) complete.
The 'M' in the model number stands for 'Moderne' or 'Streamlined
Moderne', relating to a class of the Art Deco style that peaked in
1937. To quote from wikipedia.org "the style emphasized flowing
forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements (such
as railings and porthole windows)". The nautical ingredient of this
radio cabinet, with its bold circular lines, is readily imagined.
The Moderne models, which initially comprised the 60MB, 14MX and
18MX, represented a new and experimental direction in cabinetry for
Philco. The designs featured bold but simple geometric lines with, at
least for the early examples, finishes of natural mahogany and black
trim. They also marked Philco's first use of the black hexagonally
shaped knobs. Although the style would never become mainstream
for the company, a few radios using the M designation would
continue to be offered through 1937 and echoes of the style would
re-appear in their 1939 and 1940 line-ups (though without the M in
the model numbering).
The 60MB uses the same chassis as Philco's popular model 60B
cathedral radio, which incidentally received a moderne cabinet
upgrade at around the same time. The 5-tube superheterodyne
chassis tunes standard broadcast from 530-1500kc and shortwave
from 1.5-4.0mc. It has tube line-up:- 6A7 (mixer/LO), 78 (IF), 75
(second detector/af amp), 42 (output) and 80 (rectifier).
"A Modern new Philco with Automatic-Volume-Control, Tone Control, Electrodynamic Speaker. Beautiful hand-rubbed cabinet of
natural-finish mahogany with black trim. An outstanding value"
"An attractive new hand-rubbed cabinet of natural color Mahogany with black trim, enclosing a popular chassis with unusual
performance. Clear, true tone. Tunes in your favorite programs, police calls, many amateur and airplane communications. Fits into
any room setting. Ideal for den, bedroom, office, study."
"An outstanding value featuring Automatic-Volume-Control, Tone-Control, Electrodynamic Speaker, Police and Airplane calls, etc."
natural-finish mahogany with black trim. An outstanding value"
"An attractive new hand-rubbed cabinet of natural color Mahogany with black trim, enclosing a popular chassis with unusual
performance. Clear, true tone. Tunes in your favorite programs, police calls, many amateur and airplane communications. Fits into
any room setting. Ideal for den, bedroom, office, study."
"An outstanding value featuring Automatic-Volume-Control, Tone-Control, Electrodynamic Speaker, Police and Airplane calls, etc."
60MB. .a new 1934 Philco in a modern cabinet that will grace any room.
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New! Modern! Philco.
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