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Majestic (Grigsby-Grunow) 463 'Century Six' Table Radio (1933)
Stunning, modernistic. A beauty... in black walnut and lacewood, with chromium grille.
Grigsby-Grunow's Majestic Model 463, known as the
"Century Six", was introduced in June of 1933, initially
priced at $42.50. It was a charter member* in the series
of modernistic Majestic Smart Sets introduced through
early 1934 by Grigsby-Grunow. The Century Six, with its
clean styling and spectacular waterfall grille in chrome,
has to count amongst the most popular of the sets in
the line. Perhaps also because it was one of the first of
the series to be introduced, it's one of the least difficult
to find today.
Grigsby-Grunow's 1933/34 line took inspiration from the
forward-looking modernistic themes of the 1933 Chicago
Century of Progress Exposition. The company's new
models were exhibited to the general public at the Exp-
osition, as well as exclusively to dealers, their families
and friends at a hospitality suite opened nearby on S.
Michigan Ave (click the July 1933 thumbnail below right
for details).
The influence of the Chicago Exposition on the styling
of radios was profound. It inspired numerous manu-
facturers to produce striking, modernistic designs for
their radios, some of which are today among the most
sensational and iconic sets ever conceived. Pioneering
Grigsby-Grunow quickly ascended to become one of
the style leaders. Their smart sets proved very popular
with buyers, many of whom were introduced to modern-
ism through the Exposition, the buzz that it created,
through other shows or by their retailers. It all led to a
resurgence in sales and an apparent reversal, at least
to begin with, of what had been declining fortunes at
the once mighty company. Unfortunately, the healthy
sales did not provide sufficient buoyancy to overcome
the burdensome debts accumulated in the years follow-
ing the financial collapse of 1929. The line was a rad-
ical departure from Grigsby-Grunow's previous offer-
ings, and factoring in the high costs incurred in bring-
ing it to market, the company ran into insolvency. It all
proved too much, and in February of 1934 they were
declared bankrupt.
For more about the rise and fall of Grigsby-Grunow, see
my two-part article published in Antique Radio Classified:
part 1. part 2.
The model 463 uses the 6-tube type 460 chassis, also
used for the model 461. The 460 markings on the chas-
sis tag often lead to confusion of model numbering with
these sets; however there is no model 460 as such, the
number referencing only the chassis type. Tube line-up
is G58S (RF amp), G2A7S (mix- er/LO), G58S (IF),
G55S (2nd det/AVC/1st AF), G2A5 (AF output) & G80
(rectifier). The circuit is largely conventional with two
"duo" type dual-function tubes (2A7 & 55), used in the
same manner as by most other manufacturers of the
day. The schematic may be found here, courtesy of
NostalgiaAir.
*Some advertising implies the 463 to be a charter member of the
smart set series (see ad to the right). Whereas it was one of the
first, there were in fact earlier introductions, including the "Deluxe
Travel Super Six" (model 411), announced in Radio Retailing in
April 1933 (p 10).
"Century Six", was introduced in June of 1933, initially
priced at $42.50. It was a charter member* in the series
of modernistic Majestic Smart Sets introduced through
early 1934 by Grigsby-Grunow. The Century Six, with its
clean styling and spectacular waterfall grille in chrome,
has to count amongst the most popular of the sets in
the line. Perhaps also because it was one of the first of
the series to be introduced, it's one of the least difficult
to find today.
Grigsby-Grunow's 1933/34 line took inspiration from the
forward-looking modernistic themes of the 1933 Chicago
Century of Progress Exposition. The company's new
models were exhibited to the general public at the Exp-
osition, as well as exclusively to dealers, their families
and friends at a hospitality suite opened nearby on S.
Michigan Ave (click the July 1933 thumbnail below right
for details).
The influence of the Chicago Exposition on the styling
of radios was profound. It inspired numerous manu-
facturers to produce striking, modernistic designs for
their radios, some of which are today among the most
sensational and iconic sets ever conceived. Pioneering
Grigsby-Grunow quickly ascended to become one of
the style leaders. Their smart sets proved very popular
with buyers, many of whom were introduced to modern-
ism through the Exposition, the buzz that it created,
through other shows or by their retailers. It all led to a
resurgence in sales and an apparent reversal, at least
to begin with, of what had been declining fortunes at
the once mighty company. Unfortunately, the healthy
sales did not provide sufficient buoyancy to overcome
the burdensome debts accumulated in the years follow-
ing the financial collapse of 1929. The line was a rad-
ical departure from Grigsby-Grunow's previous offer-
ings, and factoring in the high costs incurred in bring-
ing it to market, the company ran into insolvency. It all
proved too much, and in February of 1934 they were
declared bankrupt.
For more about the rise and fall of Grigsby-Grunow, see
my two-part article published in Antique Radio Classified:
part 1. part 2.
The model 463 uses the 6-tube type 460 chassis, also
used for the model 461. The 460 markings on the chas-
sis tag often lead to confusion of model numbering with
these sets; however there is no model 460 as such, the
number referencing only the chassis type. Tube line-up
is G58S (RF amp), G2A7S (mix- er/LO), G58S (IF),
G55S (2nd det/AVC/1st AF), G2A5 (AF output) & G80
(rectifier). The circuit is largely conventional with two
"duo" type dual-function tubes (2A7 & 55), used in the
same manner as by most other manufacturers of the
day. The schematic may be found here, courtesy of
NostalgiaAir.
*Some advertising implies the 463 to be a charter member of the
smart set series (see ad to the right). Whereas it was one of the
first, there were in fact earlier introductions, including the "Deluxe
Travel Super Six" (model 411), announced in Radio Retailing in
April 1933 (p 10).
| "This is the New Deal in radio design. A Century of Progress started it. Majestic was first to catch the new note. And wide-awake dealers are following the style leadership of the "Smart Set" of Radio - the best-looking, best-performing radios that America has ever seen...." |
Grigsby-Grunow ad in Radio retailing, Oct 1933 pg 59
Copyright TubeRadioLand.com
131/4" (W) * 123/4" (H) * 91/4" (D)
Dec 1933
June 1933, Radio Retailing
July 1933, Radio Retailing