Over decades the organization published regularly catalogs. Here we bring them together and note some specialities. You find also descriptions on the Lafayette history and our struggle getting solid facts for it - title: "Lafayette or Radio Lafayette, the brand and its origin"..

I can naturally only list what I have and describe catalogs for which we loaded up.
This is an ongoing process! Some entries are at the moment only notes for me.
I need information about catalogs from the 1920s - guests can use the contact form to reach me. We are thankful for any information. What we know about the early catalogs up to WW2 is here:

The measurements are made with examples which I bought but which sometimes have been cut on the edges. They may be a bit bigger.

I miss all catalogs before! Maybe there are none?

Normally the catalogs we list for a saison (like 1939/40 etc.) are the yearly master catalogs which arrive early enough for late autumn and Christmas buying, later often followed by not so complete Christmas catalogs which are also products released and sold in "the old year", not only in the given one!).

Lafayette Catalog 1930 for season 1929/30
96 pages, size 27 x 20 cm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models (L=Lafayette Brand) up, ALL L-Pictures up.
Up to now, this is the only catalog with a name of a person: J. W. Shortland, Mgr. (incl. photo).

The top model, Duo-Symphonic, is a chassis C or DG from Wells-Gardner - still a Neutrodyne, but the other two chassis are state of the art with screen grid tubes 224, released in April 1929 by RCA. All 25 main radio offers use one of these 3 chassis. By the way: Wells-Gardner was aquired by Gulbransen in this year but the name was kept as a division of Gulbransen.

There was probably also a Lafayette Catalog 1930 Spring-Summer - I miss it.

Lafayette Catalog 1931 for season 1930/31
128 pages, size 255 x 200 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models up, L-pictures up.

Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 "Bigger Profits" = 1931
32 pages, size 287 x 210 mm. Copyright 1931.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models listed in the post.

Lafayette Catalog 1931 Spring-Summer = 1931
48 pages, size 28 x 21 cm. Copyright 1931.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models up, L-pictures up.

Lafayette Catalog 1931 "Summer-Fall - Reductions!" = 1931
48 pages (brown), size 285 (cut) 210 mm
Transformers, parts etc. Also Mantel Radios and Floor Radios.


Lafayette Radio Catalog 1932, 10th Anniversary for season 1931/32
144 pages, size 29 x 21 cm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. All L-Models up, All L-pictures up.

Lafayette Catalog 1932 Spring-Summer  = 1932
100 pages (26 x 18 cm)
What is done?: Picture at company page. Models listed in the post.
 

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, 1933 for season 1932/33
136 pages, size 26 x 21 cm. Copyright 1932.
This is the first Lafayette catalog I know which shows a number!
Top models are with chasssis L-1 De Luxe - sensitivity under 1 microvolt per meter.

We show here the first appearances of Lafayette radios in Rider's Perpetual - which started under "Wholesale". The "Radio Collector's Guide 1921-1932" did also list under "Wholesale", starting with year 1929. "The Radio Trade Directory", Aug. 1925 names two companies for Lafayette: Kor-Rad. Co and Mississsippi Radio Co.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models up, L-pictures up. Spare catalog here!  Generally: Schematics not duplicated to the models.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 54, Spring 1933 = 1933
152 pages (257 x 180 mm).
What is done?: Picture at company page. Models listed in this catalog page - maybe all of them came from different catalogs and here are only price reductions.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 55, 1934 for season 1933/34
160 pages, size (cut) 256 mm x 180 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. ALL Models up, ALL L-pictures and some misc. product pictures up.

Supplement C to catalog no. 55 (Newark Branch only)
80 pages (260 x 178 mm). See description on the bottom of the post for catalog no. 55.
What is done?: Picture at company page and in the post for catalog 55 with the listed models.

Generally I miss supplements not listed here or any information about them.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 56 1935 for season 1934/35
192 pages, size (cut) 252 x 180 mm. Copyright 1934.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models up, nearly all L-pictures up. Spare catalog here!

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 57, Spring+Summer 1935 = 1935
128 pages, size 255 x 180 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. ALL Models up, L-pictures up. But there are no 1935 "alone" models. Karlheinz Fischer has the spare catalog and is working on it.

I miss catalog no. 58.

Amateur Radio Equipment, Catalog No. 58-A = 1935
50 pages, size 255 x 183, Copyright 1935.
Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc. (Address = Lafayette).

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 59, 1936 for season 1935/36
192 pages, size 257 x 180 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. L-Models up, All L-pictures up.

I have still to clear many things.
We believe that Lafayette flagships, models C-95, C-96 and C-97 are from "Radio Wire Television". It is the first and only family with a Magic Eye for that season. There are many open links in this thread which I have to clear. For instance Lafayette B-21 All-Wave Radio Robot is probably from Wells-Gardner - and also used by Montgomery Ward. A price comparison would be nice.

Amateur Radio Equipment Catalog no. 60, 1936
64 pages, size 255 x 177 mm. This was given to me by Bart Lee, San Francisco. Thanks.
Nothing done yet - I have to find an amateur who has the time for it.

I miss no. 61 and 62.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 63 Spring 1936 = 1936
64 pages, size (cut) 258 x 177 mm. Copyright 1936.
What is done?: Picture at company page.

I miss no. 64.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 65, 1937 for season 1936/37
152 pages, size 256 x 180 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. Only a few models up.
I sent the spare catalog to John Koster, Netherlands on 14th Novembber 2009.

I miss no. 66 and 67.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 68, Spring/Summer 1937 = 1937
112 pages, size 255 x 175 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. Vitor Oliveira has introduced many or all L-models, Franz Scharner has one of the two spare catalogs and works on it.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 69, 1938 for season 1937/38
176 pages, size 257 x 180 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page. The member Vitor Oliveira, Portugal has introduced the models from his own catalog in 2006. Therefore we will have to change 1938 to season 1937/38, enter a selected catalog plus individual text (without page number) and enter a link to here in the notes. Manually we will have to change some of the model names. Spare Catalog here!

I miss no. 70.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 71 Spring 1938 = 1938
80 pages, zize 255 x 175 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page.

I miss no. 72.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939 for season 1938/39
184 pages, size (cut) 253 x 177 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page.
Felix Schaffhauser, Switzerland, is starting to add the models and pictures for this catalog.
October 29, 2009 he received the spare catalog.

I miss no. 74.

Lafayette gift catalog no. 75, 1939 = 1938/39
64 pages, size 255 x 180 mm. Copyright 1938 - for Christmas sales!
Content: Mainly Lionel trains with gauge "0" and "00", some educational and entertaining toys, household appliances, electric clocks, cameras - projectors - and all what is needed to produce or look at (26 pages!), record players (page 51). Radios are on the last pages, 52 to 64 and on page 24 one finds the auto radios D-6 and M-94, Hallicrafters Sky-Buddy (K21094) and "Beginner's All-Wave Kits K10356, K10357 and K10358.
What is done?: Picture at company page. For introducing models we first check if the models have been offered before. See text in the catalog page, where we have listed all models. Spare catalog went to John Koster, 14 November 2009.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 76, Spring & Summer 1939 = 1939
184 pages, size 256 x 180 mm. Copyright 1939.
What is done?: Picture at company page.
 

I miss catalog no. 77.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for season 1939/40
184 pages, size 256 x 177 mm.
This is the first catalog (except perhaps no. 77) with the company name "Radio Wire Television Inc." followed below by "formerly Wholesale Radio Service Co., Inc.". On page 2 and 3 is a longer text - saying nothing really, but ending with "Radio Wire Television Inc. is licensed by arrangement with Electrical Research Products, Inc. under the patents of Western Electric Company, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. and American Telephone and Telegraph Company.". See the link above and the company/brand page.
What is done?: Picture at company page.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 79 Gift Guide 1940 for Christmas 1939 = 1939/40
56 pages, size 254 x 177 mm
What is done?: Nothing yet. But we have a doublet!

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 80, Spring-Summer 1940 = 1940
120 pages, size 257 x 178 mm. Copyright 1940.
What is done?: Picture at company page. We have a doublet - which I handed over to Mr. Schaffhauser on 6th July 2010. He might upload after doing catalog no. 82.
 

I miss the catalogs no. 81.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 82, 1941 for season 1940/41
192 pages, size 256 x 180 mm. Copyright 1941 which is strange because the Christmas catalog 1941 for 1940 followed ... Well, the trick was to be able to call it "20th Anniversary Catalog".
What is done?: Picture at company page. The Swiss member Felix Schaffhauser has introduced the radios from this catalog. At the moment (October 2010) we better create more radio pages from other catalogs and skip the other articles here (radio amateur gear, amplifiers etc.).

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 83 Gift Guide 1940 for Christmas 1940 = 1940/41
40 pages, size 257 x 178 mm.
What is done?: Picture at company page.
 

I miss catalog no. 84 and 85

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 86 - 1941-2
48 pages, size 280 x 212 mm (bigger than others!).
What is done?: Picture at company page. Models listed in the post.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 87, 1942
128 pages, size 255 x 180 mm. Copyright 1942.
This catalog servers only for New York, Bronx, Boston and Newark. see below.
What is done?: Picture at company page. Models listed in the post. Most models entered and some pictures (15 Dec. 2009).
 

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 87 "Victory", 1942
128 pages, size 255 x 178 mm
This is basically the same catalog no. 87 as above but an other front and at least the content on radios is different. Only two radio models (D-251 and D-294) are the same. Believed reason: Split inventory - no more new radio sets coming in because of war production: Chicago and Atlanta have a separate catalog - they will continue during the war and shortly after the war to deliver Radio Parts etc. - but not radios.
What is done?: Nothing yet.

Lafayette Radio Corp. Radio Parts Catalog supplement no. 92, 1943
8 pages, size 420 x 272 mm
Copyright 1943 by Lafayette RAdio Corporation, Chicago, Ill.
for Chicago, 901 W. Jackson Blvd. and Atlanta (3), Georgia, 265 Peachtree Street

Lafayette Radio Corp. (Chicago + Atlanta) No. 94 = 1943/1944
106 pages, size 253 x 180 mm
Copyright 1943 (Tubes, Parts etc.)

Concord Radio Corporation, Lafayette Radio Corporation, Supplement nor. 97, 1943
16 pages, size 204 x 178 mm
No copyright information. Probably 1943.

There is more behind that split

Supplement no. 97 of date about 1943 shows a name change (with the same addresses) to Concord Radio Corporation (Lafayette Radio Corporation). On the front one reads:

"Announcing a change ...
For more than twenty-two years LAFAYETTE RADIO CORPORATION has been one of the country's largest distributors of nationally known radio parts and electronic equiment. In order to enlarge and improve our many services to customers, our pstwar plans include the establishment of a number of strategically located branches in vorious parts of the country.

For this reason and to avoid any possible confusion with any other companies having a similar name, our company name has now been changed to CONCORD RADIO CORPORATION. In other words, Lafayette Radio corporation in CHICAGO and ATLANTA will henceforth be known as CONCORD RADIO CORPORATION. ..."


The two catalogs no. 87 end the pre WW2 period for radios.
Catalog no. 88 is copyrighted 1947 and shows cut out daily news from after the war.
But the following thin catalogs for parts only are not conform with the numbering of the catalogs. There are still a few questions open. 

Special remarks for models where we can find out the manufacturer:

Lafayette C-34 is model Garod 3790. See also no. 379
Lafayette CC-98 is model Garod 939. See also different models for CC-98.

This is a working thread - an ongoing process - for the Lafayette catalogs after WW2.

It seems that the Lafayette catalogs were started a bit late after World War 2: My first catalog is no. 88, 1947. The last Lafayette before this was no. 87, 1942 (for season 1941/42) and we have nothing in between.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 88, 1947 for season 1946/47
144 pages, size (cut) 255 x 175 mm.
This is the "25th Anniversary Catalog" of the company
Lafayette Radio · Radio Wire Television, Inc. with four warehouses:
100 Sixth Ave.; New York 13, NY, 110 & 130 Federal St., Boston 10, Mass.; 24 Central Ave., Newark 2, NJ and 542 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx 58, NY. Adresses and number of locations are the same as in 1942 - without the two below (Concord).

We have a Supplement Concord catalog no. R1-47, copyright 1947 by Concord Radio Corporation, Chicago. There are two addresses: Chicago 901 W. Jackson Blvd and Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St. In other words: The old address from Lafayette. On the following catalogs one can read "Formerly Lafayette Radio Corp."! What is done here? Nothing yet, we have two issues of it.

Content of the Lafayette catalog:
Without given prices: J50-M, J50-Y (with direct drive dial), MC-11B, MC-11Y, J-62, MC-12B, MX-12Y, J61, J51P, J-62C, MC-13. Only FA-15W and FA-15Y show a price (page 2). Page 6 and 7 feature "Custom Cabinetry" like P-2005, P-2006, P-2009, P-2007, P-2003, P-2001 - without radios but with prices - up to $ 275. The rest is simila to the pre war catalogs.
What is done?: Picture at company page. Models listed in the post.

Lafayette-Concord Radio Catalog no. 89, 1949 for season 1948/49
180 pages, size 250 x 180 mm
My issue has heavy chewing on entire top of magazine (roughly top 1/2" at its worst) - does affect text/pictures along top. I have now a second one ... No action yet.
3 Mail order centers: Chicago, New York and Atlanta plus 7 Convenient Stores: Chicago at 901 W. Jackson Blvd (as before) and new: 229 W. Madison Street., New Yor, Atlanta, Bronx, Newark and Boston - all at the same address as pre WW2.

LAFAYETTE Concord Radio & Television Catalog no. 949, 1949
160 pages, size 255 x 180 mm
Copyrighted 1949 by Lafayette-Concord Radio, New York. 7 addresses, the same as before in New York, Boston, Newark, Atlanta, Bronx, two for Chicago.
My issue has heavy chewing on entire top of magazine (roughly top 1/2" at its worst) - does affect text/pictures along top. I will need a second one ... No action yet

Lafayette Concord Supplement no. 90 = 1949
32 pages, size 260 x 205 mm, copyright1949 by Lafyette-Concord Radio, New York.
Highlight: Portable Television (page 5).
What is done? Nothing yet.

Lafayette Flyer "Greater than ever" (refers to master cat. 949) = 1949/50
8 pages, size 443 x 290 mm, no Copyright (Lafayette Radio 150M-650)

Lafayette Radio Television Electronics Flyer 150 = 1950
12 pages, size 425 x 275 mm, Page 6+7 "Lafayette's Great 1950 Television Show".

Lafayette Radio Television Electronics Buying Guide 950F = 1950
16 pages, size 420 x 277 mm. Copyright Radio Wire Television Inc, 1950.

Lafayette Radio Telev. El. - RWT Radio Wire Television Inc. no. 951, 1951
96 pages, size 258 x 180 mm
Copyrighted 1951 by Radio Wire Television, Inc. New York, Boston, Newark and Bronx.
Doublet

Supplement no. 97 is a 16-page catalog with title "Radio Parts". It is labelled
"Concord Radio Coprporation - Lafayette Radio Corporation" (Chicago and Atlanta). The order form is for Atlanta.

Lafayette "always has the greatest values", cat. no. 9-53 = probably 1953
48 pages (blue), size 278 x 210 mm, no copyright found (32 and at last page 33 years famous ...)
5 showrooms = New York, Bronx, Newark, Plainfield, Boston.

Later Catalogs
For 1955 and later we list at the moment only the catalogs we have here, without further specifying - until we have worked through the ones before - or in case we send one to a member who wants to introduce the models for a catalog.

Lafayette 1955 money savers cat. supplement 2-55 = 1955
16 pages (green), size 275 x 208 mm, Copyright 1955 by Radio Wire Television Inc.

Lafayette catalog 3-55 = 1955
48 pages (blue), size 277 x 210 mm, Copyright 1955 by Radio Wire Television, Inc.

Lafayette Radio (Mail Order Headquarters, 165-08 Liberty Ave., Jamaica 33, NY. no 300, 1956
164 pages, size 254 x 204 mm, Copyright 1956, Radio Wire Television, Inc.

Lafayette Radio catalog No. 305 = 1957
178 pages, size 253 x 205 (cut!) mm

Lafayette Smash Values, Catalog no. 307 = 1958
28 pages, size 365 x 275 mm. Copyright 1958 by Radio Wire Television.

Lafayette parade of values, Catalog no. 309
44 pages size 383 x 275 mm, no copyright found.

1960, Main catalog 1960 = no. 600
306 pages, size 253 x 205 mm. Copyright 1959 = models 1959/60

1960 Lafayette Radio - Transistor List BK-1300 (2nd Ed.)
36 pages, size 280 x 217 mm, Copyright 1960

Lafayette Radio electronics Catalog 607 = 1960
48 pages, size 365 x 267 mm (Newspaper like).

1961, Main catalog 1961 = no. 610 for 1960/61
234 pages, size 253 x 205

Lafayette Radio electronics Catalog 611 = 1960
48 pages, size 365 x 267 mm (Newspaper like). Copyright 1960.

Lafayette catalog no. 612 = 1960/61
64 pages, size 368 x 275 mm,
Copyright 1960 by Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp., New York (165-08 Liberty Ave., Jamaica 33) Listed are the mail order center at that address plus the following 6 sales outlets: New York 13 (100 6th Ave), Bronx 58, Boston 10, Newark 2, Plainfield (N.J). and paramus (N.J.). Lafayette lists the following 4 "Associated Stores": Cleveland (Ohio), Trenton (N.J.), Waterbury (Conn.) and Ashbury Park (Wanamassa, N.J.).

Lafayette Radio Electronics catalog no. 613 = 1960/61
64 pages, size 368 x 275 mm,
Copyright 1960 by Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp., New York
Same outlets as no. 612 but now 8 franchise dealers instead of 4. The new ones are: Bridgeport (Conn.), Groton (Conn.), Albany (N.Y.) and Pittsburgh (PA).

Lafayette Anniversary Flyer (41st), Catalog no. 616, 1961
64 pages, size 368 x 275 mm
Copyright 1961 by Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp., 165-08 Liberty Ave., Jamaica 33, NY.

Lafayette Radio Electronics Spring Summer Catalog no. 635 = 1963
64 pages, size 365 x 275 mm, Copyright 1963

Lafayette Radio electronics Catalog 636 = 1963
48 pages, size 365 x 267 mm (Newspaper like). Copyright 1963

1964, Spring-Summer no. 643
134 pages, size 236 x 165 mm. Copyright 1964 = 1964
Doublet

1965, Lafayette Main Catalog no. 650 = models 1964/65
512 pages, size 235 x 168, Copyright 1964

Christmas Catalog no. 651 = 1964
140 pages, size 235 x 165, Copyright 1964

1966, Main catalog 1966 = no. 660
512 pages, size (cut) 230 x 170
Triplet

1966, Winter no. 662
108 pages (incl. cover), 236 x 165 mm. Copyright 1965 = models 1965/66

1966, Spring no. 663
108 pages (incl. cover), 236 x 165 mm. Copyright 1966

1966, Summer no. 664
108 pages, 236 x 165 mm. Copyright 1966

1967, Main catalog 1966 = no. 670
512 pages, size 236 x 170 mm. Copyright 1966 = models 1966/67
Doublet

1967, Gift Guide (for Christmas 1966!) no. 671
108 pages, size 236 x 165 mm. Copyright 1966 = 1966/67

1967 Winter Values Catalog no. 672 (prices effective until March 1967)
108 pages, size 235 x 165

1967, Spring no. 673
116 pages, size 236 x 165 mm. Copyright 1967
Doublet

1967, Summer no. 674
116 pages, size 236 x 165 mm, Copyright 1967
Doublet

1968, Main catalog 1967 = no. 680
512 pages, size 235 x 167 mm, Copyright = 1967 = models 1967/68

1968, probably before Christmas 1967 - no. 681
124 pages, size 236 x 165, no Copyright found = 1967/68

1968, winter catalog, no. 682 = 1967/68
124 pages, size 235 x 165 mm

Summer Catalog no. 684
124 pages, size 235 x 166 mm, Copyright 1968

1969, Main catalog 1968 = no. 690
512 pages, size 235 x 167 mm, Copyright = 1968 = models 1968/69
Doublet

1969, Lafayette Radio Electronics Holiday Catalog, no. 691 = models 1968/69
84 pages, size 236 x 165 mm, Copyright 1968

Winter Catalog no. 692
96 pages, size 237 x 165 mm, Copyright 1968

1969, Spring no. 693
100 pages, size 236 x 165 mm, Copyright 1969
Doublet

Summer Catalog no. 694
100 pages, size 235 x 165 mm, Copyright 1969

Lafayette Electronics Winter Catalog no. 702 = models 1969/70
112 pages, size 235 x 165 mm, Copyright 1969. Prices expire March 1, 1970
Doublet

1970 Lafayette Electronics Spring Catalog no. 703
112 pages, size 235 x 165 mm, Copyright 1970

Summer Catalog no. 704
116 pages, size 214 x 160 mm, Copyright1970

1971 Lafayette main catalog no. 710 = models 1970/71
468 pages, size 215 x 158 mm, Copyright 1970

1970, Holiday Catalog no. 711
112 pages, size 214 x 160 mm, Copyright 1970
Doublet

Winter Catalog no. 712
116 pages, size 212 x 157 (cut), Copyright 1970

Spring Catalog no. 713 = Models 1971
116 pages, size 210 x 157 (cut), Copyright 1971

Summer 1971 catalog no. 714
116 pages, size 215 x 157, Copyright 1971

Lafayette main Catalog no. 720 = 1971/72
468 pages, size 2w10 x 160 mm, Copyright 1971

Holiday Catalog no. 721
120 pages, size 213 x 155 (cut), Copyright 1971
Doublet

1972, Spring no. 723
118 pages, size 212 x 155 mm, Copyright 1972
Doublet

Hi-Fi Sale Catalog no. 724
136 pages, size 215 x 158, Copyright 1972
Doublet

1973 Lafayette main catalog no. 730 = models 1972/73
468 pages, size 210 x 158 mm, Copyright 1972
Doublet

Catalog no. 731 = 1972
128 pages, size 210 x 160, Copyright 1972

Catalog no. 732
120 pages, size 214 x 157, Copyright ?

Lafayette Radio Electronics (no number, but Mail card = no 730 and no. 735 ...) = 1972/73
48 pages, size 292 x 238 mm, Copyright  1973 by Lafayette Radio El. Corp, Syosset, NY.
Prices expire July 4, 1973. (75 convenient company owned stores, over 350 associate stroes ...)

Hi-Fi Sale Catalog no. 733
120 pages, size 214 x 157, Copyright ?

1974 Lafayette main catalog no. 740 = models 1973/74
474 pages, size 210 x 158 mm, Copyright 1973

Catalog no. 741 = 1973
128 pages, size 213 x 160 (cut), Copyright 1973

1974, probably well before Christmas 1973 - no. 742
112 pages, size 212 x 160 mm, Copyright 1973 = 1973/74
Doublet

1974 (sales prices end May) early no. 743
112 pages, size 212 x 160 mm, Copyright 1974
Doublet

1974 Sale, catalog no. 744 (sales price end Aug 19, 1974) = 1974
72 pages, size 215 x 160 mm, Copyright 1974.
Doublet

1975, Main catalog 1975 = no. 750 = season 1974/75
260 pages, size 277 x 215 mm. Copyright 1974 = 1974/75
Doublet

Christmas 1974, catalog no. 751 = season 1974/75
40 pages, size 277 x 210 mm

Lafayette Catalog no. 752 = 1974/75
48 pages, size 275 x 210 mm, (Prices good thru March 1, 1975) Copyright 1974.

Lafayette's Warehouse sale Catalog 754 = 1975
40 pages, size 278 x 210 mm, Copyright 1975 (Offers good thru Aug 15, 1975).

Lafayette Spring Book, Cat. no. 753
40 pages, 275 x 212 mm, Copyright 1975

1976 Lafayette Electronics Catalog no 760 = 1975/76
232 pages, size 275 x 210 mm, Copyright 1975

Lafayette Mid-Winter Catalog no. 762
40 pages, size 280 x 237 mm, (Prices in effect until Feb 29, 1976), Copyright 1975.

1977, Main catalog 1977 = no. 770 = season 1976/77
164 pages, size 250 x 210 mm., Copyright 1976
We have two doublets.

1978 Lafayette Christmas Catalog (no number)
48 pages, size 278 x 215 mm, Copyright 1978, prices valid until Dec. 30, 1978

1978, Lafayette 1979 Catalog (no number) = season 1978/79
170 pages, size 280 x 210 mm, Copyright 1978 by Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp.

If you take the words from the Lafayette catalog from 1932, it is quite easy to determine the origin or birth of Lafayette. The "10th Anniversary 1932 catalog" of "Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc., 38 Vesey St., New York, NY states this the following way: "1922 - 1932, we celebrate our tenth anniversary. A decade of progress in the radio industry." On page 18:  "For your protection we publicly announce that WHOLESALE RADIO SERVICE COMPANY is not associated with any other radio concern and never has been." On page 19: "Ten years ago, when the radio industry had just been born, Wholesale Radio Service Company began in a small, two-by-four office, selling a small number of radio accessories. ... Today this company is located in a modern building in the heart of New York's radio section. Our business runs into millions of dollars per year. A large force of men and women are employed to take care of the hundreds and hundreds of orders which come in daily."

In this thread I will try to publish what actually happened.
I will need your help - if you know anything or can help investigating. It will be a slow process and I will have to find puzzle pieces, one by one. We hope not to fall in the trap of "jumping to conclusions". I began with my own style to bring in catalog information by adding radio models and bringing information about the Lafayette catalogs - see also Lafayette: It's Radio Supply Houses and Catalogs.

"The RADIO TRADE directory" from Aug., 1925 lists on page 130, in the list of manufacturers and brands fro "Vacuum Tube Sets":
Lafayette - see Kor-Rad Co. (address was then 151 E. 58th St., New York - see page 143)
Lafayette - see Mississippi Radio Co. (Mississippi Valley Radio Co., 203 Pine St. St. Louis MO)

My first questions are:
Which one of those companies is the predecessor of Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc.?
Is it one of those - or did they unite and both are involved? "Wholesale Radio" is not listed.
What persons stood (when) behind those companies with what financial sources or whith which posts?
In the Lafayette catalogs I have I found only one name (incl. picture): J. W. Shortland, Mgr. This is on page 1 of the 96 paged catalog 1930. Then at 36-38 Vesey Street, New york City. Underneath is the text: "Meet Mr. Shortland, Manager of our Personal Service Department. Mr. Shortland was formerly connected with the Nation Radio Institute and is a member of the American Institute of Radio Engineers. (AIRE) His long experience in the Radio Field is at YOUR COMMAND:". Hopefully somebody can find out more ... There is no trace of Mr. Shortland in the internet yet.

Who produced the radios labled Lafayette? Where we know we will answer this on the model page and/or on the catalog page which we will write for every catalog if possible.

After having a good picture I will write a summary after this - in this post. Next posts will be bits and bytes, questions and sometimes answers. It may be never ending - then you will not find an answer here in maroon. Please use the contact form if you are a guest who knows something or has investigated. Members can use the link "Mail to the author" which we have to hide for guests because of spiders ...

At the moment there is only one thing for sure:
The brand or trade name LAFAYETTE was chosen because Marie-Joseph Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (or in full: Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette) has such a good name in the history of the Unitded States of America. In the USA this French aristocrat is called "General Lafayette". You will find his history in Wikipedia well described.

At this time Wikipedia lists the early history of your radio trade name "Lafayette Radio" not so well, but since there is a reference to us I'm sure Wikipedia will correct this sooner or later. This is the present full text for "History":

"Established in the 1920s, Lafayette Radio Electronics (LRE) thriving mail-order catalog business in electronic components was a boon to the amateur radio operators and electronic hobbyist located in areas where such components were not available in local retail outlets. Lafayette's main competitors were Radio Shack, Allied Radio, Heathkit, and "mom and pop" (independent) radio dealers throughout the United States.

Lafayette advertised very heavily in all of the major U.S. consumer electronics magazines of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly Stereo Review, High Fidelity, Audio, Popular Mechanics, and Popular Electronics, among others. The company offered a free 400-page catalog filled with descriptions of vast quantities of electronic gear, including microphones, tape recorders, speakers, and other components which could be obtained for free by mailing in a coupon."

Followed by a good text about the retail stores, the products and the store locations in 20 states.

The General situation at date of the birth of the brand name Lafayette or the first company which started that brand name and could keep it:

We learn from DICK ROSS, K2MGA the following: "Generally speaking, the old-timers in the business represent a clannish group having a common beginning in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn around 1920. Originally, many of them worked from their garages, before being attracted to the Cortlandt Street area by low rents, and a good source of customers from the Cortlandt Street ferry, docking at the foot of the street, on the Hudson. The thousands of commuters passing by each day provided a brisk trade.

Most of the current crop of businessmen on Radio Row don’t date back to that early era, but instead represent the second generation of the old Brownsville group, in addition to a large number of “graduates” from the old Radio Wire Co. (now Lafayette Radio Electronics) at 100 Sixth Ave. A few of the current owners found their way into the business by accident, but generally the trade is a tight, closed affair with very little new outside blood."

The old-timers prospered in an industry devoted to component sales and customer contact. If the customer had a problem in some construction project, the salesman or owner was able to answer his need with the correct part and/or engineering involved. The entire business was founded upon the fact that people built because there was no great quantity of commercial equipment available. For the most part the sales help fostered building and were instrumental in bringing many newcomers into the hobby. Many amateurs today can recall the salesman who sold them their first set of parts and offered suggestions and who was available for counseling when it didn’t work.

We have to assume that the often copied story: "Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business which started in the 1920s as Lafayette Radio Electronics (LRE)" is just not true. We will have to search for the roots by using "Radio Wire Co." and "Radio Wire Television Inc." - and/or even an other company.

Name change of the company in the 1920s: I keep this post free for posting later answers to this question.

1929 or before there was at least the name change to "Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc."
We don't know yet the reason, the date and the persons and/or companies behind it.

Who can give further information on that?
 

The Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for the radio season 1939/40 shows an explanation about the name change - see below.

Not long before the name change must have happened because at least the Spring-Summer catalog 1939, no. 76, was still from Wholesale Radio Cervice Co. Inc. Catalog no. 78 - is from about Autumn 1939 and shows now "Radio Wire Television Inc." as company name.

This was surely forced from outside long ago. It must have frustrated many competitors that the organization used such a misleading name, selling to the public too to special prices - naming probably a moon price as list price. This is only my own assumption. Let's go to facts:

"Wholesale Radio Service Co., Inc., of New York (now known as Radio Wire Television, Inc., of New York), and others, New York, Newark. Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta-Against these respondent sellers of radio receiving sets, parts, and accessories, the Commission had issued a complaint alleging that they had misrepresented their prices as wholesale and themselves as wholesalers. At the close of the taking of evidence in support of the complaint the respondents moved for dismissal, which the Commission denied. The respondents then filed petition in the Second Circuit (New York) for review of this action of the Commission. The Commission filed a motion to dismiss the petition for review, which motion was scheduled for hearing in October 1940.2."

The explanation in catalog no. 78 of 1939 is naturally very different and similar to the advertisements in October 1939 in periodicals like "Popular Mechanics" (Vol. 72, No. 4, page 442) and "Popular Science" at the same date.

Page 18A Popular Mechanics Advertising Section shows:

"We have crossed the threshold of tomorrow. Twenty years of public service! In that time, we have sounded almost every phase of the communication field. In that time, we have seen our satisfied-customer-list expand to number buyers in every country of the world.

As we have grown, so too have grown the demands of those we serve. Industry: for new and better materials. Individuals: for finer instruments of reception. As our outlook broadened and plans to meet the new demands took shape, it was apparent that a name was needed to reflect the forward-looking spirit of this company. And so, today, Wholesale Radio Service Company becomes
Radio Wire Television Inc.

Here is why the name was chosen, word for word.

Radio: With radio broadcasting this company has steadily expanded. It was and is, the backbone of our business. naturally radio will continue to engage our interests.

Wire: We believe the new technique of broadcasting by wire will one day encompass the transmission of both sight and sound. Every current technological development points to ward this end.

Television: Whether Tomorrow's televised programs be received by radio or wire, it is our aim to offer the finest services available anywhere. Our new name thus embodies those important factors which, in the very nature of things, comprise our business. Already several associate enterprises in control of patents relating to the communications field have been merged with this company.

Conscious of our great responsibility, plans are even now under way to expand the number of Radio Wire Television Inc. retail outlets. This step will place local branches at the service of all interested in finder entertainment, better products and lower costs. Long ago, we established a standard of service. To keep your confidence in us, we pledge ourselves to surpass that Standard in the future.

Radio Wire Television Inc. formerly Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc. New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Newark, Bronx NY, Jamaica LI. Radio Wire Television Inc. is licensed by arrangement with Electrical Research Products Inc. under patents of ..."

Here naturally come all the big names - comment not necessary ...

We can note that Rider's Lists models from "Radio Wire Television" already in volume 5 from 1934 - all through volume 19 from 1949 (copyright) - except volume 14. The "Rider's" is here a series of the most complete collection of radio schematics for the radio serviceman, containing 23 thick binders and some more.. John F. Rider produced schematics covering about 120,000 radios with 45,000 different schematic diagrams.

As you can see in my notes for Catalog no. 53 (1933) there is the problem that Rider's did list under different names - even at the same time - surely not Rider's fault ... Besides above RWT we find entries under "Misc.", "Wholesale", "Lafayette" or/and under the name of the manufacturer ... Sometimes you find the schematic for Lafayette a few years later than the one for the original model of the manufacturer (often just as a copy).  

Again the question arrises if there were diefferent "Radio Wire Television" companies etc.
We hope to find out answers or to get some answers - also from you ... if possible. The contact form is at your hand. Thank you.
 

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 without number (for the season 1930/31) and the main catalog before - if there was one. At the moment we have not seen one for before.

Lafayette Radio Catalog 1930
for season 1929/30.

At the moment this is the only catalog I know with a person named.
On the first page after the cover page there is a picture of J. W. Shortland, Mgr.:

Since I have no earlier catalog from Wholesale Radio Service Co., Inc. I can not tell if this is really the first time a person is featured or named - at least it is the last time. This opens very much room for speculations ...
Since I live in Switzerland, I have no chance to check any register in New York to find out more about early Lafayette members etc. If a member or guest knows more or can find out for us I would be very glad to receive a contact form. Thank you.

The "top" Lafayette model in this season
Both, "Radios Collector's Guide 1921-1932" (McMahon) and Rider's Perpetual volume 1 show this model under "Wholesale" instead of "Lafayette". See also "Duo Symphonic 1931" with dual volume control (antenna and AF stage) and "Great Duo Symphonic". According to McMahon, the Duo Symphonics have one untuned RF circuit and 3 tuned RF circuits - but Rider's shows clearly that it has 4 tuned circuits (4 gang tuning condenser) and two stages AF with push-pull output. CX tubes are from Cunningham. Detector tube is the only screen grid tube C324 or a 224.

The Lafayette Duo Symphonic is in fact using the Wells-Gardner & Co chassis model C or CG, first type.
You see this clearly by comparing the Rider's schematic Wells-Gard. page 1-1 and 1-2 (see versions) with the schematic "Wholesale" page 1-2. It is the "Old Type" schematic. It can also have Cunningham tubes like CX326 (as variant).

Nevertheless, Lafayette (Wholesale Radio Service Co.Inc.) describes this the following way: "The problems of our engineers was not only to build a receiver that would outperform anything in the world, but to build the dame receiver at a price that would bring it within reach of the average home."

The catalog 1930 for season 1929/30 names this 9 tube TRF chassis a "Screen-Grid Neutrodyne Neutrodyne-Beers Double Primary". The Lafayette Duo-Symphonic Screen-Grid has a "special Utah Stadium Dynamic-Speaker chassis" producing from 30 to 5000 cycles. There is a linear power detection and local distance switch. Tubes 245 for push-pull operation. The same chassis is used for Lafayette Duo-Symphonic models 342, 316, 324, 370, 343, 300, 362, 357, 325, 329, 350 and 352, a Phono-Radio Combination.

The other Lafayette models in this catalog:
This catalog shows only 3 different chassis for the 25 models offered:
Starting with Lafayette Challenger, a true 8 tube TRF with Screen-Grid tubes and the models Challenger 40, 18, 30, 10, 85 and 20 (two knobs), followed by an other 8 tube Screen-Grid TRF, called TRIO with 3 knobs and the following models: Trio 210, 285, 218, 200, 260 and Trio Phonograph Combination. The "top model" with 9 tubes is a Neutrodyne, a technique which has then be overcome with the Screen-Grid tubes (of the two other models). It shows 3 knobs plus a local-distance switch right beside them. This model is only "top" by the tube count - but Wells-Gardner did offer it also in the next season.

Who made those two chassis Challenger and Trio?
"Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc." writes: "Super-Efficient Circuit --- Lafayette-Designed", going on with: "In our research laboratories, where we have available every conceivable type of testing apparatus, Lafayette engineers have developed this amazing new receiver. It is a distinctly new circuit design that gives the Challenger a tremendous advantage over all other receivers that may appear to be the same.".
For me this is not yet the right answer ... I hope to find facts.

Screen-Grid tubes = state of the art!:
Already 1916 screen grid tubes were patented in Germany by Schottky and its first use as tube SSI they were used in 1917 for telephone repeaters (see for instance Tyne, "The Saga of the vacuum tube).

In 1924 A.W. Hull at General Electric (GE) began to develop a screen-grid tetrode for battery radios only. It was presented to RCA in 1926 and released as UX222 in October 1927 - as the last battery tube for many years. For AC mains radios RCA can present the UY224 as first US screen grid tetrode for mains operation in April 1929. 

The two 8 tube TRF can be called then "state of the art" because 1929 was the introduction of the screen grid tube in the USA, whereas the Duo Symphonic uses it only for detection.
 

Content of this catalog - 96 pages:
Up to page 31 are the main radio models. Page 32 offers cabinets only. Page 33 starts with the "Speed" tubes 224 and 245 but offers also 201-A, 200-AA, 112-A, 171-A, 171-AC, 210-H, 250, 226, 227, 280, 281, 224-AC and 199-UV. The cheapest is the 201-A for $ 1.25 and the most expensive the power amplifying tube 250 for $ 11.00. On the following two pages Lafayette offers those tubes under its own brand, the 201-A for $ 0.63 and the 250 for $ 5.50 - generally half price.

This is followed by some other brands, the Supreme Diagnometer Model 400-B and the Trav-Ler "New Portable Radio Sets" DeLuxe and Aristocrat. Page 38 through 42 offers different loudspeakers. Different brands are offered like Wright-DeCoster, B-B-L, Celotex Baffle Horne, Utah models, Farrand Inductor, Best, Public Address Exponential Air column Horns and Racon 4320 exponential horn. There is also a Yaxley Electric Pick-up Fader. Page 43 offers a model 9-5 stage public address system with 250 push-pull amplifier for $ 377.75 including tubes and a "Dual Electric Phonograph Amplifier.

Page 44 offers microphones from General Industries and others like the "Two-Button Broadcast type KK and BB or a model CC.

Page 45-49 show a "Centralized Radio Equipment" for Hotels, Schools etc. model 30-9, 200-525 and 100-525 and the Magnavox speakers "The Carillon", "The Aristocrat", the "X-core dynamic", "The Stratford" and "The Campanile".

The next 37 pages show very different offers - from Samson PAM amplifiers, General amplifiers like GA-15, GA-30 and GA-20, Silver Marshall 690, 679, 678PD and 677, Phonograph motors, Pick-up's, Power packs like Pilot ABC eliminator, batteries, measurement instruments, Counter tube checker model 533, Hammarlund HiQ-30-Screen Grid 9 tube AC receivers and amplifiers and  the SW converter., National Screen Grid Short Wave 4-tube Thrill Box type SW-4, the National MB-29 five tube tuner, National Velvetone Power Amplifier, SM 722 Band-Selector Seven receiver, Silver-Marshall-712 tuner (development of Sargent Rayment Seven), Silver-Marshall 735 "Round the World Six", Aero SW kits, Pilot Super-Wasp Kit 14 to 500 meters, REL SW receivers, George W. Walter Multi-Unit, Amateur radios and transmitters, also as kits - and pages with parts.

Page 80 shows a 6 tube "Pierce-Airo-Hamilton" battery receiver for $ 59.50, folowed by deVry moving pictures camera and projectors, new Remler 111 Screen Grid components. Only from page 87 follow some appliances, Lionel trains, a Victor electric adjustable washing machine for $ 69.50 as well as exercising machines and health lamps plus some sporting articles.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog 1932, 10th Anniversary without number (for the season 1931/32) and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 also without number - for season 1930/31.

There is also a 32 paged Radio Catalog 1931 "Bigger Profits".

Lafayette Radio Catalog Spring - Summer 1931
I link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

This is still in process: After having entered the models for the pre war catalogs we will give an overview about this catalog here.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog 1932, 10th Anniversary without number (for the season 1931/32) and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog 1930 also without number - for season 1929/30.

Just before this main catalog "1931" was probably the Lafayette Radio Catalog 1930 Spring-Summer which we have not got yet- and directly after Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 Spring-Summer.

This still unnumbered catalog 1931 shows no Lafayette name on the front cover. The address given for
Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc. is 38 Vesey Street, New York City as in next year, but the catalog no. 53, 1933 shows 100 Sixth Avenue, New York, N.Y. The next page states: Lafayette "The Bonded Radio".

Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 is for the radio season 1930/31.

Since this catalog was most probably distributed in Autumn 1930, we regard the models as for season 1930/31 because they were made and sold in 1930 - and later.

The catalog states on page 2:
"A little over 9 years ago WHOLESALE RADIO SERVICE COMPANY commenced business in a small office on Church Street. The radio industry was in its infancy - growing tremendously fast - and suffering form "growing pains". Concerns would spring up over night, without any code of business ethics, without any desire to give their customers fair, legitimate treatment - and these firms would disappear almost as quickly as they started.
Wholesale Radio Service Company, together with a number of other legitimate radio concerns, clearly say the necessity for restoring the confidence of the public in the radio industry. And so we formulated a business policy - a policy which has been our creed for nine years of remarkable progress - which has been responsible for the tremendous growth of this concern to the point where we are now the largest institution of its kind in the East."

On page 3 they claim to do over 2.5 million dollar sales yearly, having thousands of satisfied customers.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog 1932, 10th Anniversary without number (for the season 1931/32) and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 also without number - for season 1930/31.

There is also a 1931 Spring-Summer Radio Catalog - similar like this one.

Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931
"Bigger Profits for Dealers & Servicemen".
32 pages, size 287 x 210 mm. Copyright 1931.

Content of this catalog:
Page 2: "Super Midget" (6 tubes, push-pull 245, $ 29.50 + tubes $ 4.74), and "Midget" (6 tubes: 4x 224, 245, 280 for $ 24.95 + tubes $ 5.13 as cheapest offer).

Page 3: "Consolette 425" (probably same chassis as "Midget"), Radio-Phono-Combination no. 7000.

Page 4: Colonial Radio receivers "The Princewss", "The Mayflower" and "The Windsor". RCA Radiola 67 and Lafayette D.C. Mantel Receiver (3 x 232, 2x 231, 230)

Page 5: Kolster 8 tube chassis 1931, 4 cabinets only.

Page 6: Chassis no. 5000 (3 x 224, 227, 2 x 245, 280), Console model 45M.

Page 7: Majestic model 52, 91, 131 and 102 (all consoles).

Page 8 and 9 = tubes, followed by replacement parts for different brands (5 pages). Condensers, Resistances, different parts and replacement parts, Aerial kits, Batteries, Eliminators, Chargers, Instruments, Microphones, Amplifiers etc. - followed on page 25 by Electric Clocks, electrical appliances, Loudspeakers, on page 29 also Philmore Crystal Receivers, Phones, Presto Home Recorder, Books, 9-tube Superhet.-chassis, PAM Address System, "Tam" Tuner (page 31).    
I link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

This is still in process: After having entered the models for the pre war catalogs we will give an overview about this catalog here.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, called 1933 (for the season 1932/33) and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog 1931 with no number and presumably for saison 1930/31.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog was probably Lafayette Catalog 1931 Spring-Summer and directly after this catalog here is the Lafayette Catalog 1932 Spring-Summer.

Lafayette Radio Catalog 1932 is for the radio season 1931/32.

This main radio catalog has most probably been published in Autumn 1931 and production/delivery was in 1931 - and later. Therefore we regard those models as being for season 1931/32.

This catalog seems to be the last in big format of roughly 30 cm by 21.5 cm. The catalog has been cut to look less worn out ... The following main catalog (no. 53) called 1933 for season 1932/33 and its followers have the measurement 26 cm by 18 cm but it is cut too ...

The anniversary catalog shows on page 18 and 19 a text called "1922 - 1932, we celebrate our tenth anniversary. A decade of progress in the radio industry." The catalog shows no catalog number and the year after, the main Lafayette Catalog is numbered 53.

On page 18 one finds the statement which is made in every early catalog: "For your protection we publicly announce that WHOLESALE RADIO SERVICE COMPANY is not associated with any other radio concern and never has been." On page 19: "Ten years ago, when the radio industry had just been born, Wholesale Radio Service Company began in a small, two-by-four office, selling a small number of radio accessories. ... Today this company is located in a modern building in the heart of New York's radio section. Our business runs into millions of dollars per year. A large force of men and women are employed to take care of the hundreds and hundreds of orders which come in daily."

On page 10 is displayed a letter dated July 7, 1931 to Wholesale Radio Service Co., Inc.
36-38 Vesey Street, New York City about "Guaranty bond covering refunds on Lafayette Radio Sets." The last page, 144, shows us a letter of August 14, 1931. This suggests that the catalog has been published after that date - for the radio season 1931/32.

Characteristics of top models for season 1931/32 and special features
The chassis 10-C (Cadmium plated) with 10 tubes is for the top models like 101 Duo-Symphonic.
It has "Visual Meter Tuning", Automatic Volume Control (AVC), 8 tuned circuits (IF=175 kc) and a sensitivity of 1.25 microvolts per meter. The name comes from the "Stadium Speaker" which is a "dual speaker unit" with two speakers, one optimized for higher and the other for lower frequency. The woofer has probably 12.5" diameter. There are two chassis versions, the old one with push-pull and a new one in parallel.
The manufacturer was Gulbransen (series 23 chassis, Rider's vol. 2 page 293K to 293P; models 20, 23 and 235, the latter was also sold in Switzerland).

For more details see the model page

We will later try to find out manufacturers for other models. We know at least the following early manufacturers for Lafayette: Gulbransen, Wells-Gardner (B-code? like B-36 but also B-80 for 7-L of WG? one is "La France of WG = 13 tubes), Belmont, Plant "A", Garod, Detrola?

One of the cheapest models:

To the model page

Description of content:
With a few textual breaks the catalog displays mantel and console radios up to page 29, following two pages for SW receivers and on page 32 is a short wave (SW) converter. Page 33 shows some parts and 3 Auto Radios. Page 34 and 35 show chassis and kits, followed by 4 tube pages. Page 40 displays television including Baird models. Page 41 brings the Talkiola "Talking motion picture machine", Cape Hart record changer, Pam-o-Graph, Presto record maker outfit etc. Page 42 shows the Loftin-White amplifier and the next page Public Address systems. Microphones, speakers etc. are presented up to page 50. This is followed by phono chassis and motors etc. Page 54 through 58 is for testing instruments and page 59 through 66 offer transformers. Pages 67 through 90 are full of different parts like resistors, condensers, knobs etc. and page 91 and 92 are for aerials. Transmitting apparatus can be found on pages 93 to 95, followed by "Everything for the HAM". Page 102 and 103 are for any kind of tools and page 104 to 111 for Lionel trains and accessories, followed by action toys for boys and girls. Ordinary kitchen and bath appliencies, followed by clocks on page 118 and 119. The index is found on page 120. Then follow articles for sports, clothing and the last pages, 142 through 144 are full of selling texts ... The content list is similar in the early 1930s catalogs.

See for instance other brands sold in this catalog:

Or a very special tube:

See the tube page

Early car radio

Early television

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, 1933 for the season 1932/33 and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog 1932, 10th Anniversary without a number - for season 1931/32. The 20th Anniversary is held with catalog 1941 (not 1942).

 Lafayette Radio Catalog Spring & Summer 1932
100 pages, size 29 x 21 cm.

Content of this catalog:
Page 4: Model 50 chassis "Thriller" = 2Y22063, 2Y22063 (for 220V), 2Y22X65 (2 waves), 2Y22066 (2 waves, 220V).

Page 5: Model 51 chassis "Minstrel" (Super-Het) = 2Y22067, 2Y22068

Page 6: Model 80 chassis "Dual-Wave DeLuxe = 2Y22054, 2Y22055, 2Y22X53, 2Y22053. With AVC.

Page 7: 7 Tube Phono-Superhet, Mantel 2Y22079, Console 2Y22081.

Page 8 and 9: Model 100 chassis "Orthotone" 10 tubes: 2Y22057, 2Y22058, 2Y22059, 2Y22080, 2Y22081, 2Y22082.

Page 10: 10 tubes 5 knobs = 2Y22088, Long Wave Sets 8 tubes: 2Y22125 and 2Y22126, 7 tubes: 2Y22127 and 2Y22128.

Page 11: 2 Volt Battery Set (6 tubes) 2Y22087, Dual-Wave 2Y22089 (7 tubes AC) and 6 tubes DC = 2Y22089 - with the same number!

Page 12: 4 Console cabinets only: "The President", "The Gregory", "The Georgian" and "The Sheraton". The 10 tube Dualwave Superhet chassis 2Y22078.

Page 13: Trutest 8 Tube Receiver Kit 2Y22033. Erla SW converter 2Y22035 and SW converter 2Y22034 (2Y22035 with RCA Radiotrons).

Page 14: Lafayette Auto Radio "Autotone" 2N1422. Trutest Auto Radio 2N14226.
Followed by auto speakers, remote control unit, converter etc.

The following pages are for books, tubes, parts, National MB-32A tuner, "Thrill Boxes", MB-29A, National amplifiers etc. (Page 19). Television receivers on page 20, followed by speakers, 250 Public Address System, "A" Inter-Office System, Amplifiers, turntables, even a "High grade Swiss compass" is offered on page 25. This is followed by microphones and all what we find in other catalogs.

This is still in process: After having entered the models for the pre war catalogs we will give an overview about this catalog here.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 55, 1934 for season 1933/34
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, 1933 for 1932/33.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 54, Spring 1933
I link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

Will be done if and when we could enter the models and pictures for this catalog ...

We need also information about the beginning of this brand.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 55, called 1934 (for the season 1933/34) and the main catalog before, Lafayette 10th Anniversary catalog 1932 with no number and presumably for season 1931/32..

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog was probably a Spring catalog 1933 (no. 52?) and directly after this catalog here is the Lafayette Spring catalog 1934, no. 54.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, 1933 -
for season 1932/33

Each model from this catalog I link to here - sometimes also back to the model. We then have a common text for each model of this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

In this catalog, beginning page 7 we find "Dual-Wave" chassis (M-39 and M-40 with models M-41 and M-42, Rider's 10-8) for eight tubes. There is quite a variety on models: For the same Rider's schematic 10-8 (M-43) follow also the 8 tube "Trio-Wave" Superheterodynes on page 10 in the catalog. In theory the models M-41 and M-43 should be the same - Rider's did not use the chassis number but a model. But now the tubes in the catalog are changed and the sensitivity is given as under 1 microvolt - before as under 2.5. The tubes mentioned in the catalog are 3 x 58's, 2 x 57's, 56, 47, 80 - in Riders 56, 58, 58, 58, 55, 47, 80. We noted also some typos on the cycles for 220-240 volts, but the chassis we hope to clear one day. Interesting to see is that the Rider's schematic was published in 1939 for a model of 1932/33 and drawing date Sept. 26, 1935.

On page 8 we find the "Dual Wave"-chassis M-47 (115 volts) and M-48 (for 220-240 volts) with 10 tubes (Rider's 6-10). The chassis are used for models M-49 and M-50.

The top model of the season - with illuminated tuning meter:
The chassis L-1 for 105-120 volts and chassis L-2 for 220-240 volts 40 cycles or 110 volts 25 cycles share the same schematic - and also L-3 and L-4 are listed on that Rider's schematic 5-9. But the same schematic/chassis is also used for the models L-5, L-6 and - displayed on page 137 of the catalog - the models with Capehart record changer as L-7 and L-8 and with Capehart two-speed phonograph L-9, L-10. The higher number in a name pair is the higher voltage. The given voltages for L-2 in the catalog page 12 are not repeated for other models but 220-240 volts 25 - 40 cycles. Both can be true. Elsewhere (where?) All these models are called "De Luxe" in the catalog. Elsewhere (but where?) I noted also L-3 and L-4 as "Regent" and L-5 and L-6 as "Viceroy".

The models feature Automatic interference suppression, manual interference control, automatic volume control, triple dial tuning, improved twin voice dynamic speakers, tone control and an illuminated tuning meter. Sensitivity is less than 1 microvolt per meter, selectivity for 10 kc separation. It delivers potentially 18 watts but this has been reduced to a max. of 10 watts. Current consumption is 110 watts.

Which is the origin of this top model?
To find the different schematics for this 12 tube model is easy: With the "Professional Modelsearch" for members, asking for the combination: 12 tubes - with the following 5 only involved - 58 56 57 46 82 and the tic field "only" we get the 6 following manufacturer/brands: Gulbransen (model 322), Lafayette (10 model pages), Montgomery (5 models), Radiolek (SR230), US-Radio and Wells-Gardner (O22) - all with a Rider's schematic. When comparing those schematics we find that at least the following 3 are identical - also the chassis drawing: Gulbransen (Rider's 3-11), Wells-Gardner (4-10) and Lafayette (5-9) - which was published first in 3-1 under Wholesale!

Montgomery Ward (15-43 and 15-44!) shows exactly the same schematic and the same chassis can be seen on 15-44 - volume 15 was made 1947! (the SchematicFinder found it) - and we know that it was a department store chain and not a radio manufacturer. Rad Olek (4-1) is a simplified schematic of probably the same schematic - and is a catalog seller too. US Radio & Television Corp. (4-3) uses IF 262 kc and an other chassis. We also have to know that Gulbransen bought Wells-Gardner in 1930 and kept the manufacturer name as Wells-Gardner, division of Gulbransen.

Lafayette and it's origin:
We still don't know the real story about the early years of the brand Lafayette. The "10th Anniversary Catalog" (see link above) claims that the brand or company exists since 1921. Here what we found up to now:

Appearance in "The Radio Trade Directory"
Unfortunately I have only the volume Aug., 1925 because it exists as reprint. In this issue we find "Lafayette - see Kor-Rad Co.". on page 143 for "Speakers". For Vacuum Tube Sets we find on page 130 the same line plus below: "Lafayette - see Mississippi Radio Co." We don't know if at the same time two companies claimed the brand or if they worked together - and we don't know if an other company was involved too with Lafayette. See our pages for Mississippi Radio Co. St Luis and for "The Kor-Rad Co.".

First appearance in Rider's Perpetual:
The first Lafayette radios in Rider's Perpetual are found under Wholesale, not under Lafayette. Volume 1 (printed 1931-34) shows the Duo-Symphonic 1931 and "Great Duo-Symphonic" (1-1) and the Duo-Symphonic 1930 (1-2). Rider's vol. 3 (printed 1933) shows the models L-1 (3-1), L20 (3-2), M-31, M-35, M-37, M-53 (3-3) and "Auto Radio" (3-4). In the digitalized index is found 05A AC/DC, 53 and 37 which is wrong (M-53 and M-37 ...).

In the "Abridged Volumes I to V" there is no trace of Lafayette or Wholesale.

Rider's Perpetual shows its first Lafayette radios only in volume 4 (models A-11, A-12, A-14 and A-19) under Misc. (miscellaneous) and in volume 5 under Lafayette - for instance 5-9 for the 12 tube top model with a visual tuning meter. Also the volume adjustment and tone selector show their setting in a scale, but the models with "Dual twin voice dynamic speakers" are for broadcast only! Interesting to see that the same schematic for L-1, shown under Wholesale in Rider's 3-1 is now appearing under Lafayette as 5-9, now for L-1, L-2, L-3 and L-4.

Rider's volume 13 (printed 1942) displays nearly half (17) of the Lafayette again under Wholesale - but other models (ca. 20) are found under Lafayette. Wholesale according to digital index (with errors): BS3, S53, 19, 269, C16, 259, CC57, 493, CC57T, 939, CC98, C116, C34, 3790, M42, C117 and C125. Probably correct = BS-3 (13-1), S-53 (13-2), C-16, C-19, 259, 269 (13-3, the last two probably the chassis of the ones before), CC-57, CC-57T with chassis 493 (13-4), CC98, chassis 939 (13-5), C-116 (13-6), C-34, 3790 (13-7), M42 (13-8), C117 Series B (13-9), C125 (13-10).

There is still more investigation necessary: Rider's Lists models from "Radio Wire Television" already in volume 5 from 1934 - all through volume 19 from 1949 (copyright) - except for volume 14. Radio Wire Television is the new name for Wholesale Radio Service. Co. Inc. in 1939. Which are the models for the brand Lafayette - which not? Only the detailed model pages will tell when we have created them fully. We will have to decide if we keep the models under the two names or join them. Here are the model pages of Radio Wire Television.

Other sources which list Lafayette under Wholesale:
The "Radio Collector's Guide 1921-1932" by Morgan E. McMahon lists the following models from Lafayette under "Wholesale": On page 185 for 1929 model "Preselector" (7 tubes SG, PT, 2 tuned circuits, 2 audio stages) and for 1930 "Duo Symphonic" (9 tubes TRF, one untuned circuit, 3 tuned, 3 audio) and AC524 (5 tubes SG, 2 tuned, 1 audio). Page 262/263: "Tru-Test" (mantel 5 tubes TRF, $ 16.50), "Lafayette" (mantel 6 tubes TRF, 3 x '24 RF Amp., '24, '45 and 80), "Lafayette" (10 tubes Superhet with AVC, tone control, chassis), a chassis no name (TRF for SW for $ 45.50 less batteries), SW converter (3 tubes Superhet, tubes 24, 27 and 26 for $ 29.50), 5 tube Superhet (for $ 21.50 mantel), and a 7 tube Superhet (24, 24, 27, 35, 35, 47, 80 mantel).

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 59, 1936 for season 1935/36
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 55, 1934 for 1933/34.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 57, Spring + Summer 1935. followed by the catalog no. 58.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog seems to be the mentioned main catalog - and some supplements. Like Supplement C with 80 pages. The other supplements we still miss.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 56, 1935 for season 1934/35
I link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

Work here still on progress - after entering the corresponding models, pictures and enhancements.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 59, 1936 for season 1935/36
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 56, 1935 for 1934/35.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 58, which we still miss.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 57, Spring + Summer 1935
I link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

In this catalog for 1935 Lafayette mentions the three showrooms: New York NY (picture about the tube counter), Newark, NJ with the front "Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc." and Atlanta, GA all on page 1. Page 2 starts with a very big headline "Truth":

"For 14 years we have guarded the Truth valiantly. We have stated our policies openly and frankly. We have pledged lowest wholesale prices. We have promised 24 hour service. We have insisted upon quality merchandise above everything else.

Because we have faithfully performed the promises made to you, we have grown to be the Biggest, the Most Outstanding Exclusive Radio Mail Order House in the entire world! Time Discovers the Truth: that is why thousands upon thousands of customers have become our most loyal and staunch supporters.

Meanwhile, the Envious, the Jealous, the Inexperienced attempted to counterfeit our formula of success. They copied our slogans; they imitaded the style of our catalog; they reproduced our illustrations (on which pont we have law suits pending); they even did business under names which sounded like ours ... all in a futile, vain attempt to mislead and deceive you. ..."

Content

About the organization: page 1 - 3.
Radios: page 4 - 17 (starting with C-18, C-30, C-12 and converters XP15914, XP15953).
Battery radios: page 18 (See models F-55, F-56, A-83 and B-64).
Receiver kits: page 19 (XY22069, XY22012, XY22037, XY22038).
Receiver chassis: page 20 - guides to model pages.
Auburn chassis: page 21 (C-50, C-75, C-76, C-92, C-93).
Car radios: page 22 - 23 (See models AM-20, C-40, L-30 and B-62).
Auto radio accessories: page 24 - 26.
Tubes: 27 - 29 (also Acorn tube, neon glow lamps and deForest / Eimac transmitting tubes).
Home electrical appliances: 30 - 32.
Index: page 33.
Radio parts, speakers etc.: page 34 - 47 (last minute specials page 42 and 43, ordering page 48)
Sound facts and amplifiers. speakers, pic-up's: page 49 - 77.
Short wave receivers (amateur communications): page 78 - 82.
Test equipment, books: page 83 - 91.
Truetest power transformers: 92 - 97.
Condenser blocks: page 100 - 105.
Volume controls, resistors: page 106 - 115.
Variable condensers and chokes: page 116.
Dials, coils, switches, sockets, tools, radio hardware etc.: page 117 - 128. 

Has any member (or guest) catalogs we miss (see second link above)?

Has somebody knowledge about the radio amateur models Lafayette sold and could work on that part? It is a most interesting part. Lafayette sold also the Hammarlund "Super-Pro" and the Hammarlund Comet "Pro".

The catalogs show also many test instruments and I could send scans for further processing.

After having entered the models for this catalog or completed them, I will go on with the text here. At the moment it is only an URL for the link in the corresponding models.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 65, 1937 for the season 1936/37 and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 59, 1936 for season 1935/36.

Lafayette Radio Catalog Spring 1936

I link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

This is still in process: After having entered the models for the pre war catalogs we will give an overview about this catalog here.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 69, 1938 for season 1937/38
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 59, 1936 for 1935/36.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 66, followed by the catalog no. 67 and catalog no. 68, Spring-Summer 1937.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 64, and before that is the catalog no. 63, Spring 1936 - and 3 more follow before to the previous main catalog.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 65, 1937
for season 1936/37
152 pages, size 256 x 180 mm.

Content of this catalog:
Inside, the cover features the model D-11 and J-33 for Europe but same case/chassis (LW).

Page 1: J-35, J-36, J32.

Page 4: D-13, D-10. Page 5: J-45, J-44, EB-8. Page 6: Console D-30, Mantel D-31.
Page 7: A-22, A-26, D-20. Page 8: B-81, B-80. Page 9: Console B-82. Page 10: B-87 (chassis).
Page 11: B-88.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 69, 1938 for season 1937/38
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 65, 1937 for 1936/37.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 67, and before that is the catalog no. 66 which both we still miss. 

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 68, 1937 Spring and Summer

I link this thread to each model from this catalog. We then have a common text for each model of this catalog and can inform about the specific model year et. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc. At this time an odd catalog number seems to show the models of next year - selling already in late Autumn and in Winter. Even numbers are more or less Spring catalogs.

In this catalog for 1937 Lafayette mentions 6 showrooms: New York NY, Chicago ILL., Atalante GA, Newark NJ, Bronx, NY and Jamaica LI.

Has somebody knowledge about the radio amateur models Lafayette sold and could work on that part? It is a most interesting part. Lafayette sold also the Hammarlund "Super-Pro" and the Hammarlund Comet "Pro".

The catalogs show also many test instruments and I could send scans for further processing.

After having entered the models for this catalog or enhanced, I will go on with the text here. At the moment it is only an URL for the link in the model.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939 for season 1938/39 and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 65, 1937 for 1936/37.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 70, followed by the catalog no. 71, Spring 1938 and catalog no. 72.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 68, Spring and Summer 1937 and before that is the catalog no. 67 and catalog no. 66.

This thread is pending

The member Vitor Oliveira, Portugal has introduced the models from his own catalog in 2006. Therefore we will have to change 1938 to season 1937/38, enter a selected catalog plus individual text (without page number) and enter a link to here in the notes. Manually we will have to change some of the model names.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 69, 1938
for season 1937/38

"Lafayette Radios and Sound Systems" is now the title on this 1938 catalog from Wholesale Radio Service Co. Inc., 100 Sixth Avenue. They have now offices and/or sales rooms at Chigago, Ill., 901 W. Jackson Blvd.; Atlanta, GA, 430 W. Peachtree Street, N.W.; Boston, Mass., Federal Street; Bronx, NY., 542 E. Fordham Rd.; Newark, NJ, 219 Central Avenue and in Jamaica LI, 90-08, 166th Street.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939 for season 1938/39
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 69, 1938 for 1937/38.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette catalog, no. 70 and after is no. 72, both we still miss. 

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 71, 1938 Spring

I link this thread to each model from this catalog. We then have a common text for each model of this catalog and can inform about the specific model year et. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

In this catalog for 1938 Lafayette mentions 7 showrooms: New York NY, Chicago ILL., Atalante GA, Newark NJ, Bronx, NY, Jamaica LI - and new: Boston, Mass.

Has somebody knowledge about the radio amateur models Lafayette sold and could work on that part? It is a most interesting part. Lafayette sold also the Hammarlund "Super-Pro" and the Hammarlund Comet "Pro".

The catalogs show also many test instruments and I could send scans for further processing.

After having entered the models for this catalog or enhanced, I will go on with the text here. At the moment it is only an URL for the link in the model.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for 1939/40 and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 69, 1938 for 1937/38.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 74, 1939, followed by the Gift Catalog, no. 75, 1939 for Christmas 1938 and catalog no. 76, Spring & Summer 1939 and catalog no. 77.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 72, 1938 and before that is the catalog no. 71 as Spring 1938 - and before is a catalog no. 70.

This thread is pending

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939
for season 1938/39

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for season 1939/40
and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939 for 1938/39.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette catalog, no. 74 we miss.
The catalog directly after this one is no. 76, 1939 Spring-Summer. 

Lafayette Catalog no. 75, Gift 1939
- for Christmas 1938

The copyright notice on page 2 below right proofs that it is for Christmas 1938 (not 1939). Therefore the models get the date for season 1938/39 (not 1939).

In this catalog for 1938 Lafayette mentions again 7 showrooms: New York NY, Chicago ILL., Atalante GA, Newark NJ, Bronx, NY, Jamaica LI - and Boston, Mass.

Content of this catalog:
Mainly Lionel trains with gauge "0" and "00", some educational and entertaining toys, household appliances, electric clocks, cameras - projectors - and all what is needed to produce or look at (26 pages!), record players (page 51). Radios are on the last pages, 52 to 64 and on page 24 one finds the auto radios D-6 and M-94, Hallicrafters Sky-Buddy (K21094) and "Beginner's All-Wave Kits K10356, K10357 and K10358.

Page 51 shows the electric record-players models: K21964, K21965, K21966, K21967, K22005, K22006 and K22012.

On page 51 through 64 follow the radios: B49, B50, D43, D44, D24, D25, D-58, D-59, JA-7, C-39, C-41, C-19, C-88, C-16, C87, C21, C90, D-4, D-5, D-64, C-29, C-34, C-13, C-17, C-98, D-2, C-37, FS-11, FS-12, C-20, C-15, C-31, C-91, C-10, C-51, C-14BB-35, BB-48, C-45, C-12, C-99, C-22, C-23, C-32, C-33 and C-38. Here we write the models as given in the catalog, not using generally the hyphen ...

What is done?: Picture at company page. For introducing models we first check if the models have been offered before. Felix Schaffhauser is entering the models for the catalog 73, 1939 for season 1938/39.


After having entered the models for this catalog or enhanced, I will go on with the text here. At the moment it is only an URL for the link in the model.

Later we link this thread to each model from this catalog. We then have a common text for each model of this catalog and can inform about the specific model year et. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for season 1939/40
and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939 for 1938/39.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette catalog is no. 75 Gift Catalog 1939 for Christmas 1938. We miss the one after, no. 77.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 76, 1939 Spring & Summer

We link this thread to each model from this catalog. We then have a common text for each model of this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

In this catalog for 1939 Lafayette mentions again 7 showrooms: New York NY, Chicago ILL., Atalante GA, Newark NJ, Bronx, NY, Jamaica LI and Boston, Mass.

Has somebody knowledge about the radio amateur models Lafayette sold and could work on that part? It is a most interesting part.

The catalogs show also many test instruments and I could send scans for further processing.

After having entered the models for this catalog or enhanced, I will go on with the text here. At the moment it is only an URL for the link in the model.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no 85 which we still miss and 86 (1941-2) for season 1940/41 and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 73, 1939 for 1938/39.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 79, followed by catalog no. 80, Spring-Summer 1940, catalog no. 81 and catalog no. 82, followed by the catalog no. 83 "Gift Guide 1940".

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 77 which we miss. Before that is no. 76, Spring & Summer 1939.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940
for season 1939/40

We link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

This will be worked on after we could enter the models and pictures for the models corresponding to this catalog. We need the URL for the linkage of each model to its catalog. A lot of work for this is waiting ...

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 85, 1941-1 for season 1939/40 and no. 86, 1941-2 for the same season.
The main catalog before this Spring catalog here is Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for 1939/40.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette catalog is no. 79 which we miss. We also miss the one after, no. 81.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 80, 1940 Spring - Summer

We link this thread to each model from this catalog. We then have a common text for each model of this catalog and can inform about the specific model year et. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

In this catalog for 1940 Lafayette mentions again 7 showrooms: New York NY, Chicago ILL., Atalante GA, Newark NJ, Bronx, NY, Jamaica LI and Boston, Mass. But like the main catalog no. 78, 1940 for season 1939/40 the company name is "Radio Wire Television, Inc. formerly Wholesale-Radio Service Company, Inc." 

Has somebody knowledge about the radio amateur models Lafayette sold and could work on that part? It is a most interesting part.

The catalogs show also many test instruments and I could send scans for further processing.

I handed this catalog over to Mr. Schaffhauser on 6th July 2010 including catalog no. 82 - on which Mr. Schaffhauser will start.
After having entered the models for this catalog or enhanced, I will go on with the text here. At the moment it is only an URL for the link in the model.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no 85 which we still miss and 86 (1941-2) copyrighted 1941 - for season 1940/41?? and the main catalog before this one here, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 78, 1940 for 1939/40. There is something wrong with numbers/years here ... I have to find out later ...

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 83, Gift Guide 1940.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 81 which we miss. Before that is no. 80, Spring-Summer 1940.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 82, 1941
for season 1940/41 - called "20th Anniversary".

We link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

The Swiss member Felix Schaffhauser has just informed me (October 28, 2010) that he has created the model pages for the Lafayette radio models in this catalog and that he will go on with catalog number 80. We again have linked each model with this text - which again leads to other Lafayette texts. For catalog 82 we have not yet created the model pages for gramophones, amateur, PA, amplifiers, kits etc..

One of the most expensive models from this season 1940/41 was the 15 tube radio C-122 for $ 245 but one could also buy a radio for $ 6 - like the nice

.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no 85 which we still miss and 86 (1941-2) copyrighted 1941 - for season 1940/41??
The main catalog before this Gift Guide here is Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 82, 1941 for 1940/41, the one directly before.

But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 84 which we miss.

Lafayette Catalog no. 83, Gift Guide 1940

We link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

Company names:

The catalog no. 80 (copyrighted 1940) is still showing "Radio Wire Television, Inc." (formerly Wholesale Radio Service Company Inc.). The 20th Anniversary catalog, no. 82 (copyrighted 1941), shows "Lafayette Radio, the world's largest radio supply house" and inside it shows "Lafayette Radio Corporation" (LRC) as company name. This applies also for this Gift Guide 1940. The striking point is that catalog no. 86 (copyrighted 1941) reads again "Radio Wire Television, Inc.".

This will be worked on after we could enter the models and pictures for the models corresponding to this catalog. We need the URL for the linkabe of each model to its catalog. A lot of work for this is in the front.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 87, 1942 copyrighted 1942.

The main catalog before this one here is Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 82, 1941 for 1940/41. 
But directly next after this catalog here is the Lafayette catalog No. 87 which we miss.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 85 which we miss.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 86, 1941-2
Copyrighted 1941 by "Radio Wire Television Inc.".
There are only 6 Addresses given: New York, Chicago and Atlanta as the "Warehouses" - as before and "Local Sales and Display Rooms" are: Boston, Newark and Bronx. Jamaica, LI, is now missing.

We link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

Content of this catalog:

Page 2: JS-319, JS186, JS187, D-247, D-248. Page 3: MA-322, MA-324, S-165. Page 4: JS-190, JS-188, JS-189, D294. Page 5: C-200, C219, D-251. Page 6: G-331, JS-320, JS193. Page 7: D-233, D-246, B196. Page 8: S-317, T-325, EB-240. Page 9: C-211, C-210, C-205, C-201, C-212. Page 10 (consoles): C-213, FE-286. Page 11 (consoles) B-275, JS-300. Page 12 (consoles) B-274, B-273, B-273W. Page 13 (consoles) FE-255, FE-254.

Page 14: JA-328, FE-142. Pages 16 - 19 (consoles): JS-192 Symphony Period", JS-304, JS-303 Symphonie Modern", TC-297 (19 tube Concerto), TC-299 and TC-287.

Page 20: MA-323 Aviator, MA-3, D-291. The following pages are for tubes, books, communication receivers, beginner's sets and accessories, home electric record players (page 24), pick-ups, meters, test instruments from different brands, speakers, parts, sockets, set builders accessories, tools, fluorescent lamps, gifts, cameras and everything for darkroom outfits etc.

This will be worked on after we could enter the models and pictures for the models corresponding to this catalog. We need the URL for the linkabe of each model to its catalog. A lot of work for this is in the front.

Overview

Klick here for "all" Lafayette models.
Use the "Advanced search" for limiting by years - to get the later models.

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See further down for an ohter lafayette catalog no. 87!

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 88, copyrighted 1947.

The main catalog before this one here is Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 82, 1941 for 1940/41. 

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog is the catalog No. 86, 1941-2.  

This catalog no. 87 in two versions is the last until WW2.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 87, 1942
128 pages, size 255 x 180 mm.
Copyrighted 1942 by "Radio Wire Television Inc.". There are now only 4 Addresses given (6 in the catalog no. 86, 7 in catalog no. 85): New York, Boston, Bronx and Newark - all now warehouses, but missing the former warehouses Chicago and Atlanta. See below for these two. No "Local Sales and Display Rooms". We can read on page 2: "Today, we face a crisis in our lives - yours and ours. During the present Naional Emergency it is vital that the field of radio communications be mainteined ..." The manufacturers have to build army stuff and to quit production of civil radios.

We link this thread to each model from this catalog.
We then have a common text for each model in this catalog and can inform about the specific model year etc. We then don't have to change on each model if we find something new or an error etc.

There are two different catalogs for no. 87!
See the other further down

Content of this catalog:

Cover inside: Models: JA-308, JS-241.
Page 1: JS-269, JS-270, JS-271, JS-272 (color variants only), JS-242.
Page 4: D-251, D-294.
Page 5: JS-256, C-232.
Page 6: (consoles): B-257, B-258, B259 (finish variants), B-260, B-261, B-262;
Page 7: (consoles) TC-263, TC-264, TC-265, TC-266, TC-267, TC-268;
Page 8: (cabinets only), consoles: L-1100, L-1101, L-1102, L-1103, L-1104, L-1105; L-1106; L-1107;
            L-1108; L-1109; L-1110; L-1111. 
Page 9 FM Adaptor K21064.

The following pages are (not in this order) for tubes, books, communication receivers and tansmitters (page 55-59), beginner's sets and accessories, home electric record players (page 24-26), pick-ups, meters, test instruments and oscilloscopes from different brands (10 pages!), speakers, hearing aids,  (page 93), parts (including racks, panels and cabinets, handlers, knobs etc.), sockets, set builders accessories, tools, fluorescent lamps.

Main difference to the catalog with the same number below:
See front cover picture, Radios starting at page 2 (not cover inside) with models JS-166 and JS-186B.
 

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 87 "Victory", 1942
128 pages, size 255 x 178 mm.
Startling is the fact that both catalogs bear the same number. Looking at the warehouses listed on the front cover it is clear that the different warehouses have here different stock. It seems to be clear that because of the war there was no more ordering from the manufacturers possible. This catalog here is only for Chicago and Atlanta.

Content of this catalog "Victory":

Page: 2 Models: JS-186B; JS-166
Page: 3 Models: D-247; D-248; D-294
Page: 4 Models: A-260; D-233; A-240
Page: 5 Models: T-270; D-251
Page: 6 Models: Fe-225; B-112
Page: 7 Models: B-280; B-275
Page: 9 Models: M-212-F; M-212-A; M-212-B

Except for the two models D-294 and D-251 the content is different!
 

This will be worked on after we could enter the models and pictures for the models corresponding to this catalog. We need the URL for the linkabe of each model to its catalog. A lot of work for this is in the front.

Overview

Lafayette is known as a mail-order catalog business with sales outlets in different cities.See company description and the text about these catalogs.

See also the next main catalog, the Lafayette Radio Catalog 1948 (for the season 1947/48) and the main catalog before, Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 87, 1942 for 1941/42.

The catalog directly before this Lafayette main catalog was probably above Lafayette Catalog no. 87 and directly after this catalog here is probably a Lafayette Catalog 1947 for Spring-Summer.

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 88, 1947,
25th Anniversary, for season 1946/47

It seems that the first postwar Lafayette catalog was started a bit late and in haste. This probably first catalog is no. 88, 1947. The last Lafayette catalog before this was no. 87, 1942 (for season 1941/42) - and we have nothing in between. There are only a few ordinary radios offered and for some there is no price given ...

144 pages, size (cut) 255 x 175 mm.
This is the "25th Anniversary Catalog" of the company

Lafayette Radio · Radio Wire Television, Inc.
This seems to be the company name - and four warehouses are listed:
100 Sixth Ave.; New York 13, NY
110 & 130 Federal St., Boston 10, Mass.
24 Central Ave., Newark 2, NJ
542 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx 58, NY.
Adresses and number of locations are the same as in 1942.

Description of the catalog content:

Without given prices: J50-M, J50-Y (with direct drive dial), MC-11B, MC-11Y, J-62, MC-12B, MX-12Y, J61, J51P, J-62C, MC-13. Only FA-15W and FA-15Y show a price (page 2). Page 6 and 7 feature "Custom Cabinetry" like P-2005, P-2006, P-2009, P-2007, P-2003, P-2001 - without radios but with prices - up to $ 275. The rest is similar to the pre war catalogs:
Pages 1 to 3 feature 6 different radio models, some with color versions and some without any price. On pages 4 and 5 feature 4 phono-radios without any price, but tubes are given. Pages 6 and 7 show 6 console combinations, no tubes given nor the tube count. This is followed by two pages for selling tubes, two pages for batteries, followed by 6 pages (12 - 17) of record players and accessories. Pages 18 to 41 deal with sound systems icluding Talk-a-phone intercommunication system (page 29), microphones, loudspeakers and plugs etc. Test equipment is offered on page 42 through 54. Pges 55 through 96 offer all the necessary parts and tools and material for a service man or hobbyist. On the pages 97 to 103 we can see branded receivers like "National" (HRO), Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, McMurdo Silver, etc. including transmitter units or sub units, followed by such parts on pages 104 to the end. They include some Lafayette kits for amateurs, keys and accessories and even books and some more laborytory type RCA test equipment.

This interesting Lafayette FS-103  valve/tube set has recently come up for Ebay sale. (Ebay item 271278544065). I am having great difficulty finding out anything about it. On the backboard it has "Japan". I was aware of the 1960's Trio/Lafayette link but this set is clearly much earlier - 1940's? What is the earliest year that we have for Lafayette sourcing from Japan? Or was there a licence deal with a particular Japanese manufacturer?

Attachments

• Lafayette FS-103 (165 KB)
• Lafayette FS-103 (177 KB)

My mystery set is in fact a Lafeyette-branded Japanese Sharp model 5M-67 five valve superhet made from 1955-56. Some time ago, researching other Japanese sets,  a Google search led me to the pages of the excellent Japanese Radio Museum. It covers all aspects of radio in Japan from the dawn of interest onwards. Their model collection can be browsed online - www japanradiomuseum.jp

Attachments

• Sharp 5M-67 (54 KB)
• Sharp 5M-67 (40 KB)

Dear Clive
For Lafayette USA I have searched for all the radio catalogs from before WW2 and bought them. Then I worked through them by creating the models from the data in the catalogs, scanning and preparing the pictures and uploaded them and for each catalog I started an article plus some main articles to form a framework for Lafayette.

As you can see here, I followed up to later years, but I did not find a connection to Japan.

You might ask our member Tadanobu Okabe, who shows a nice banner link to us and has written the English country text for Japan.

You have also begun a collection page by creating a model ICF-32 for Sony. At the moment you have not selected the front picture for your set in your collection or profile. It was also not the first photo uploaded for that model page and therefore your collection page shows only a part of that model. I'm sure you will select the picture you like of the ones you loaded to the model.

My suggestion would be to create a Sharp model 5M-67 for Japan and a Lafayette FS-103 for USA.

At that time it was often the case that US manufacturers and US brands ordered at least some of their models from Japan. It is good to write the origin in the notes. You are most welcome to enlarge our collection for any country or brand. We miss active members who would help to do the same I have done for Lafayette USA. John Kusching (USA) would be most glad to provide information on which brand to begin with and could also send catalogs or other information for doing this. He is the most active member in the USA.

Anyway: Thank you for your participation!

There were (and are) OEM makers that never sell under their own badge. HTC used to do this with phones.

New Hope Electronics (Japan) appears to have supplied Shira, TEC (Tokio Electronics), Binatone and Shewa Bros. Pye sold Pye, Ekco and Invicta models made by Japanese companies, as well as having their own Hong Kong factory (Empire Made) from early 1960s.

Before EMI / HMV took over the Marconi/Marconiphone domestic brand in late 1920s or early 1930s, Plessey made many Marconi sets. They made most of the Defiant sets for Co-op. They may have made many "Westminster" sets for Currys and made a virtually identical set for Ever Ready and EMI (Marconiphone branded). Many Lissen/Ever Ready sets used same Chassis as Pye Models 1935 to 1938.  Conversely eventually all Mullard Radios from later 1930s are mostly really Philips as Philips owned Mullard from 1928. Similarly some 1950s Schaub-Lorenz and Kolster Brandes sets are very similar as ITT owned both for a very long time before rebranding to ITT.

There is was never a connection at all between Ever Ready, Plessey, Marconi, Cossor, Pye, Co-op during the period 1919 to 1950 other than OEM (Industry contractor and customer) even though some identical chassis  and near identical Models.

So two identical models may simply mean the same OEM source or one maker sold to the other, and no connection between the companies other than supplier and customer. This also applies to valves/tubes with Philips/Mullard buying US tubes and rebranding Amerity. RCA and Sylvania also produced tubes for each other.

Apple sues Samsung over phones yet the 1st iPhone used Samsung designed ARM CPU and current iPhone has much Samsung value parts including CPU.  Companies buy often where they get the best deal and all makers "outsource" from time to time even to "retail enemies". 

So we can "read nothing into" two identical models from different Brands. Sometimes makers have even delibrately copied a competitor in a different market (with or without a licence!) in their own manufacturing.

Thank you both for adding to the discussion. Unless I am mistaken, I already have model proposal pending for the Lafeyette FS-103. Lafeyette as a radio manufacturer has  fine pedigree, certainly. But possibly post-WW2, like so many other now defunct US radio marques, when facing market loss due to Japanese encroachment into their home market, they may well have decided to attempt to cooperate with their Japanese competitors. So by branding a set as "Lafayette" its entry into the US market would be eased. May I mention another example of Lafeyette re-branding a Japanese set. I have in my own collection a Sansei Hi-Mood FM set, RMorg model No.239666. I then noticed the same radio branded as a Lafayette on Ebay sale and successfully proposed it for a model page - No.239945. So I was not surprised to see a Japanese sourced Lafayette with the FS-103. But I really thought that the FS-103, with its lacquered wooden case, was very much earlier - 1950 at the very latest. But now it does not appear so strange - look at the 1956 wooden-cased Sony TR-72 Gendis for example. So I started this thread thinking that I might have discovered a possible late-1940's or even earlier Japanese Lafayette link.