ULTRA-RARE!! 1933 ZENITH MODEL 616 TOMBSTONE RADIO. ORIGINAL FINISH. Free delivery to MAARC radio meet in Md Oct. 19th.
Up for bids is an ultra-rare 1933 Zenith radio model 616 tombstone. The 600 series of Zenith radios is very much a mystery. Many of the sets pictured in the 1933 Zenith brochures are thought to have not actually been manufactured. The initial design and picture of the model 616 in these Zenith brochures has a different style grille work than the 616 that was produced and that is up for auction here. In fact, there are very few actual Zenith 616's known to exist. This particular set was found unmolested after being in storage for over 30 years. The Zenith 616 tombstone is a 8 tube super het radio covering the AM Broadcast Band. The cabinet arch over the grille area is veneered in birds eye maple while the rest of the front of the cabinet is veneered in butt or burled walnut. There are matching columns of fret work on both sides of the cabinet and both are in excellent condition. All veneer is intact with no chips, dents, scratches, etc. There are 4 open areas in the large Zenith escutcheon. The top opening is a shadowgraph for selective tuning. The three verical dial scales are from left to right, volume, tuning and tone. All three dial scales are in excellent condition. The radio has its original finish, original grille cloth, original knobs, thick cloth covered speaker wire and line cord & original Zenith tube shields. There is a heat or water ring on top of the cabinet but given the overall excellent condition of this very rare set, I would dare say that is a very minor problem! The data plate is interesting. It is stamped with the model # 616 with a serial number of 2001014. While I have no proof, I am guessing this is serial number 14 not 1014, given the rarity of this set. Just a hypothosis on my part, nothing more! Dimensions of the cabinet are: 19 1/2 inches tall, 16 1/8 inches wide & 9 5/8 inches deep. This is a very heavy radio weighing in unpacked at just under 30 lbs!!!! An interesting side note....if you look at the escutcheon below the tuning window you will see the Zenith logo is an insert attached with 2 screws. According to Cones & Bryant in their book, "Zenith Radio-The Early Years 1919-1935" this set was also sold by Zenith under the "Interocean" and possibly other brand names as a way to market excess production. All versions of this model are extremely rare. This is also why the metal tag on the back of the chassis has the model number but no brand name as they used the same tag for all brands! As a display radio, this is A-1. If you are looking to electronically restore this set to playing condition, you will have some work to do. The dial belt and springs that operate the dial scales will need to be replaced. The chassis will need complete electronic restoration including new grid cap wiring, caps, filters, etc. The chassis appears to be 98% original so no modifications of consequence appear to have been made. The speaker is original and is in excellent physical condition. In over 20 years of collecting radios, this is the first time I have ever seen this radio and I'll probably never see another, especially in this condition. If you are a serious Zenith radio collector, I don't need to say another word...... Winning bidder has the following shipping options: 1. Add approximately $ 54.50 for a well packed, insured domestic shipment via Fed Ex Ground with signature required. 2. Add approximately $ 164.00 for a well packed, insured international shipment via USPS Priority Mail International. 3. FREE DELIVERY if you are on my direct route from Florida to the greater Greensboro, NC area on Thursday or Friday October 16th or 17th OR I can deliver it to you on my to the MAARC radio meet in Davidsonville, MD. on Saturday, October 18th (I-40 and I-95) or Sunday October 19th at the meet. This method of delivery and delivery location must be mutually agreed upon BEFORE the end of the auction. 4. Winning bidder may pick this radio up in Sarasota, Fl. anytime before March 30, 2009 with no charge for storage. It looks great displayed in my shop so no hurry!! Actual shipping cost will be determined after the auction has ended and may be less. An invoice will be emailed to the winning bidder shortly thereafter. | | |
Please read my feedback regarding shipping. I pack & ship to you, the way I would want you to pack & ship to me! Please read the fine print below! Thanks for bidding & Good Luck! Buyer to pay shipping and insurance if desired. Please allow time for personal check to clear or send money order for quick shipping. Major Credit Cards accepted by using PayPal which also provides for immediate shipment of this item! Please check out the other auctions we currently have running on eBay.
1. Questions?? Please contact me BEFORE bidding! 2. As with all used equipment, particularly electronics, this item, unless stated otherwise, is sold as-is with no guarantees expressed or implied. 3. Remember that this is an auction and items are NOT shipped on approval. 4. My packing is second to none as attested to in my feedback. Even so, I can not be responsible for uninsured damage or loss in shipping. I do not require insurance but please be advised that I do not accept returns for shipping damage. All claims for damage are the responsibility of the buyer along with the carrier. If you don't agree, please don't bid. 5. International buyers: Please be aware it is expensive to ship overseas. Air is expensive and fast. Surface is slower, rougher and less expensive. Do not ask me to file false Customs valuations or under insure items. 6. High bidders in the State of Florida add 7 % sales tax. 7. Payment must be received within 10 days of auction end or auction may be voided, negative feedback posted and back bidder allowed to purchase item. 8. There are NO hidden packing or handling fees. Unless otherwise stated in the auction description, you pay only actual shipping and materials charges. On some occasions, such as large, fragile or awkward items, additional shipping & handling charges may be charged but only to the extent of actual labor & materials involved. In some instances, to assure safe arrival, electrical items may need to removed from their cabinets and shipped separately to avoid damage. 9. If you win multiple items from me in the same calander week, I will gladly combine those items where possible to save you unnecessary shipping charges. If you were the high bidder on an item and are again bidding on an addional item the following week, feel free to email me to see if holding the first item is possible until the conclusion of the latest auction. 10. If you are the high bidder or second chance purchaser on this item you are entering into a legal contract and agree to and will honor, without exception all directives and information listed above and hold harmless, the seller of this item. This in essence is your legal customer agreement. Please remember that all text and pictures used in this auction are copyright protected. I take pride in my research where applicable and this material may not be physically or electronically reproduced in whole or in part unless prior written consent is obtained. Another auction from Mr. Majestic1 !!! |