1961 Magnavox Imperial French Provincial

Hi. I'm trying to find a specific console.

My grandmother had this console in solid cherry. My mother remembers she and my
grandfather going over to Curtis Mathes in Dallas to buy it. She said the sound
was better than anyone else's she knew. My mother and I spent the first three
years of my life (late '68- early '72)living with my grandparents and my
grandmother played albums all the time on it. I still remember some of them
like El Paso-Marty Robbins, Andy Griffith's What It Was Was Football and Romeo &
Juliet, and the Sound of Music Soundtrack.

About 10 years ago my parents moved the console out on to a closed in back porch
due to space constraints, but it wasn't climate controlled. Before I could get
it from them, it had weathered and cracked, so they gave it away.

Now, I'm trying to find one just like it. It opened up on top like a Grand. It
had three panels across the front: two speakers on either side and a sliding
panel in the middle. Again, it was solid cherry.

I have a few brochure photos I've found on the internet, so I'll post them
below:



also, someone on ebay is selling the exact brochure for the unit i'm looking for.
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1961-Magnavox-Im ... -Old-Ad-/0\
0/s/ODAwWDU2OQ==/$(KGrHqZ,!gwE63O0iJ)cBOyuh3YsU!~~60_3.JPG

If anyone knows how I might be able to find one, I'd appreciate it. Honestly,
I'm not a radio guy. I don't know tubes or amps or drums. I justreally want to find a stereo like my grandparents had.


Thanks
Jim

Hi Jim!!

Did you ever end up finding this stereo? Ones like this are certainly hard to find. I've been looking for one of these for a super long time!! My elderly neighbor has this exact same stereo in white and gold. I'm not too crazy about the white and gold color, but its such a gorgeous set, I would have it refinished! My neighbor still has it!! but unfortunately she wont sell

Still haven't found it. My mother pulled a different model off the curb in May, but all of the components were pulled and the fabric was torn.

She was excited for me, and it's similar, right? But it's not the one.

Hello Jim,

In case you haven't been reading my last few posts on this topic. I recently acquired this Magnavox Imperial off of my neighbor. You are right when you said this stereo sounded better than anyone else's! I am a person who is guilty of owning at least 10 Magnavox Consoles over the years, and this is the best! OMG, let me share with you, when I got this set home I couldn't believe it. It sounded much better than I ever remember hearing it in her house. but I don't think she had it set the way I like it. This set goes up REALLY LOUD, and is filled with lots of POWER!!. Please keep looking for a set like this. Rose gave me all the information on it. I can give you the model number and serial number to it and everything. I was so glad she kept all of the original paperwork.
To tell you the truth, I think this thing is better than my Great Aunts 1959 RCA Victor which is also wonderful, I'm not letting that one slip through my fingers either, and I think my dad knows this. Ironic part is I have a picture of my grandfather kneeling down and holding my dad on top of the "stereo" when it was brand new in 1959.

Jim, you CANNOT go wrong with this Magnavox, and because I want you to find one, I will give you the model and serial number. Hopefully that will make your search for one of these either. The only thing that could possibly beat this thing is a Magnavox Concert Grand, and those are NO WHERE Around.

Also Jim, the cabinet on this is AMAZING! You cannot go wrong with the French Provincial styling. It is absolutely gorgeous. Everytime I look at it I melt, like(Oh, my gosh, this is so beautiful) Not to many people have a set like this, and those who don't are jealous I'm sure. They may say they aren't, but I'm sure they are. I still cannot believe the SOUND on this. The word AMAZING is an understatement. My ex hated console stereo's, and always had a good laugh at my expense, but when she saw this one, she was in AWE. She couldn't believe how beautiful it was. Her immediate reaction was Ooooo I LOVE this.

When you do find this set, it will be worth the wait for you trust me. I also have the Original Cast recording to the Sound of Music, and it sounds unbelievable through this set. This set just screams HIGH FIDELITY let me tell you.

People WILL be jealous of you once you get this set, and try to tell you what they have is better. Trust me, don't waste time on listening to loser who think they are proessionals. I'm telling you for your own good. I ALMOST Dismantled my set, and pulled all the parts from it, because this one guy had me convinced that this stereo would catch fire and burn my house down if I kept using it. I'm very glad I didn't listen, and I'm enjoying the console now, and it sounds like a dream!! Also try searching adhuntr.com or craigslist. How far are you willing to drive for one of these? I know one thing, I'm never parting with mine now. Even if someone offered me A LOT of money, I wouldn't sell it. If you PM I'll tell you the deal I got on it. I don't think any one believes me, so I wont repeat again, because the jealousy of people on this board are unbelievable. In reality they KNOW how good these sets are. Sorry I sound so frustrated. I just don't want someone to put the same frustrations on you that they did on me should you find one.

The WORST thing I could've ever done was post on this site that I got this Stereo. One guy was very nasty and gave me a real hard time. I am not naming any names, because I am not looking for any trouble. I should've kept it to myself, and not posted it. I shouldn't even been posting this, but I really want you to find one. The 13 years I waited for this was well worth the wait. Nothing I had over the past 15 years could beat this, NOTHING. And when you find this, you'll never have to look, or want another stereo console again, because this is by far the BEST! Here. I want to show you mean, I should send it in a pm, but I want you to see it, so here you go Again, PM me if you want the model number and everything.