Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, named 1933

ID: 200005
This article refers to the manufacturer: To the manufacturer

Lafayette Radio Catalog no. 53, named 1933 
15.Sep.09 20:48
5339

Ernst Erb (CH)
Officer
Articles: 5741
Count of Thanks: 14
Ernst Erb

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).

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