Rare Rogers Majestic 1937 12-Tube Console Radio 12-126, all original

From an Estate - Like new 1937 Rogers Majestic 12-126 Automatic Tuning Console Radio

Introduction
This radio is not documented in the internet, although there are obvious DeForest Crosley relatives (see ref.s 1&2 below for two different models 7D832), a Rogers 7R832 (ref.3), and a 9-tube Rogers Majestic 7R932. Often both Rogers Majestic (R or M in model number) and DeForest Crosley (D in model number) had very similar sets. There was also a 6-tube table model 7M632, using the same knobs and automatic dial. I had a long and very interesting discussion in the antiqueradios.com forum, where I was given the schematics of the radio (copy included in item), and where we concluded that this radio is:

Very rare

In extremely good and original condition

A milestone in Canadian radio history and radio technology

References
1. http://www.deforestradio.com/images/7d832.jpg
2. http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/v/DeForest/Radios1001.jpg.html
3. http://www.antiqueradios.com/gallery/v/Rogers-Majestic/Radios1007.jpg.html
4. http://www.antiquewireless.org/otb/biascell.htm

About my Radio
The console was built in 1937, as a high-end 12-tube set, using several unique construction details:

Full wave rectifier using four 2X3 diodes

7 Rogers spray-shield tubes (still testing excellent and looking like new)

A very rare and expensive 6X6 magic eye tube, which opens symmetrically

push-pull audio end stage with two 6F6M tubes

very collectible 3-band rolling pin dial

beam of light dial pointer

use of unusual components like 4 bias cells (rejuvenated, see under techies), and a gas discharge voltage regulator tube

huge 12" field coil speaker

I have restored the radio as described under techies below. The set has been thoroughly cleaned and in-depth serviced. It is in very good condition, having only a few scratches, which however did not warrant a refinish of the cabinet. The radio plays loud and clear on all 3 bands, with a long wire antenna connected. It has good sensitivity and selectivity over the whole band spreads.

For the historians only:
Edward Samuel ("Ted") Rogers (1900-1939): kid telegrapher, invented the first A/C tube, in 1925 established "Canada's First Rogers Batteryless" (CFRB) both, as a radio factory and a broadcast station and in 1928 the Rogers-Majestic Corporation, in 1934 acquired Consolidated Industries, which built DeForest-Crosley Radios in Canada, in 1933 created the Spray-Shield Tube which eliminated the need for protective tube cans, and conducted the first public demonstration of television in Toronto, died much too early.
Lee de Forest (1873-1961): "father of radio" and "grandfather of television", invented the Audion tube in 1906, in 1934 established Lee de Forest, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., supported for Nobel Prize for Physics, in 1959 received an honorary Oscar instead, owned 180 patents, but needed Edwin Armstrong to understand them, and David Sarnoff to commercialize them, married 4 times.

For the techies only:
All 12 tubes are special developments by Rogers, and have no counterparts from other manufacturers. Fortunately all tested above average, the 6X6 magic eye being still ok. This tube costs new about 125$, and I will throw in a cheaper replacement tube 1629, to spare it. The radio uses a number of other special components, such as 4 Mallory bias cells (ref.4 above). This are small devices, which function like a low power battery, and supply negative bias to tube grids, without necessitating a separate power supply. These cells work with electrolytes and normally have been dried out. In the antiqueradios forum I was told to take them apart and use them as adapters for watch battery substitutes. I instead rejuvenated them, by boiling them for about one minute in water, slowly cooling them down to room temperature still immersed in water, and resealing them. After this treatment they showed 0.9 Volt, even measured with a regular solid-state voltmeter. - But don't worry, there are also standard remedies available, how to replace failing Rogers components with normal ones, should that ever happen.

Here are the specifications:

Technical Description of Item
Manufacturer	Rogers Majestic Corp. Toronto, Canada
Model	12-126, chassis 7R1232
Type	12-tube automatic tuning cosole radio
Production Year	1937
Serial Number	A 16593
Cabinet	Wood
Dial	Illuminated glass slide rule rolling pin dial
Knobs	Metal station selector and 5 wooden knobs
Frequency Range	AM 520-1750 kHz, police/amateur 1.7-5.9 MHz, short wave 5.4-19 MHz
Controls	Automatic, manual and vernier tuning, on/off - tone, volume, band switch, 6X6 magic eye
Tube line-up	4x2X3(Rect),6K7M(RF),6A7M(Osc),6K7M(IF),2x6F7M(Det,Inv),2x6F6M(PP-Audio),6X6(Eye)
Dimensions (WxDxH)	27" x 15" x 40"
Weight	86 lbs
Comment	Near mint condition, serviced and perfectly working