Many years ago, I got a call from someone in Downeast Maine who had bought an old ship captain’s house and found an “ancient” radio-phonograph in the attic.  Did I want to come take a look? I did, and ended up hauling a big (46”h x 30.25”w x 18.5”d) and heavy – but absolutely gorgeous – walnut cabinet down two steep flights of stairs and somehow got it home and into my workshop. Take a look at the pictures, and you can see why I was more than happy to do so.

 

It was, and is, a Majestic model 181, from 1929. When originally produced, just a few months before the Great Depression, it sold for $265, more than the cost of a good, dependable Ford automobile. Not many of these were made, or sold, and almost all that were had a ticking time-bomb in them, in the form of its AC power supply, a high-voltage affair designed to run two 50 output tubes. The 50, which drew an enormous amount of power, was in the process of being phased out in favor of the 45, which produced just as much volume at a fraction of the voltage, but for the Majestic 181, Grigsby-Grunow stuck with the 50 – one of the last sets to use it. Unfortunately, the huge power supply they manufactured to run these tubes (and the rest in the set) was flawed, and almost invariably failed. I suspect that’s why this one ended up in the attic – complete with its original owners manual!

 

I really loved this unit, though, so I took a working power supply that I had from a 1930 Majestic console that ran two 45 tubes, and swapped it out; then I re-wired the set to run 45’s instead of 50’s. The result, I am proud to say, was magnificent – the old set came to life. I completed a thorough, meticulous restoration, and have kept the set in my library ever since, playing both the radio and the phonograph every day, and enjoying every minute of that. Now, though, I am running out space, so it’s time to pass it on to another collector who will appreciate it for many years to come, as I have.

 

As you might expect for that price, this was a top-of-the-line set, with many interesting features. The right knob fine-tunes radio reception, and is remarkably sensitive – it actually improves reception exponentially over just an aerial, in my experience. The phonograph doesn’t have an on-off switch – you put the unit into phonograph mode by turning the dial all the way to one extreme (see photo), then start the turntable by lifting up the tone arm and moving the pickup toward the record. The pickup has been restored, too, and plays loud and clear when new. When the record is finished playing, just lift the tone arm and swing the pickup back to its resting position, and the turntable will cut off. (There are even velvet-lined record pouches on either side of the turntable!)The radio produces a great deal of volume without distortion, and is remarkably sensitive, besides. This was one of the finest radio-phonograph units of its time, and is a pleasure to own, listen to, and look at. And the cabinet, as you can see, is in beautiful, unrestored condition. If you’ve always wanted one of these but thought you’d never find one – much less one that’s been thoroughly restored – this is your lucky day! You will look long and hard before finding another like it. I offer it here with NO RESERVE – high bidder takes it!

 

PLEASE NOTE: This unit is located in Wiscasset, Maine, and can be picked up there. For a fee, I might be able to deliver it to the UPS store in Brunswick, Maine, or to Portland, Maine, either to you or to someone who will pack it up and ship it at your expense, but if you intend to do this, you must contact me BEFORE you bid so we can discuss the delivery fee. Similarly, if you intend to bid but do not intend to come pick it up in Maine within a week or two of the auction's close, you must notify me of this BEFORE you bid so we can discuss options and delivery fees; the earlier, the better. Payment must be received BEFORE pickup or delivery is scheduled. I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone with excessive negative feedback or an otherwise suspicious history. Payment is due within three (3) days of the auction's close. Due to its age I am selling this unit without any warranty. All sales are final.

 

Be sure to see all the pictures! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but please try to ask as early as possible, as it sometimes takes me a while to get to my email. Please see my other listings, as I am running out of space and am thinning out my collection considerably.  I am listing other fine radios, phonographs, and vintage items this week, and will be listing even more in the weeks and months to come, so please keep checking. Thanks for looking! Good luck, and happy bidding!