Jackson-Bell Art Deco Model 59 - Wood Tone Cabinet:

This early midget radios was very popular due to price and size. It was offered at $59.50 which was significantly lower than many of the sets being offered by larger manufacturers at the time. The cabinet design is known in some circles as Moderne styling, but is more appropriately referred to as Art Deco. This styling was also used in a number of later offerings by Jackson-bell.

Comments:

This set uses type 26 tubes in two R.F. stages and in the first A.F. stage. The detector is a type 27 tube, while the rectifier is a type 80. Two 71A tubes provide push-pull amplification.

There were two cabinet color versions available. The one shown here is the Wood-Tone version. A dark version with silver pin- striping was also available.

A Radio Doings Ad in the December 29, 1929 issue introduced this set as having one dial control, 3 tuned stages, and push-pull amplification.

As will be seen in the documentation below, this is a relatively primitive set with less than desirable selectivity and sensitivity. The later model 60 had some modest refinements, but was still not a great performer. See Richard Gray's "Circuit Comparison" of the model 59 and 60 below for more information.

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