Folks,

A collector has put up scans of a 1956 brochure for Motorola sets inc. their color sets.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollywoodplace/sets/72157616473752201/

Quite remarkable that Motorola's 1954 line of color sets is still hanging on in 1956, even more remarkable that the illustrations show the TVs being offered with 19" screens. I could find no mention of a diagonal or square inch measurement and indeed would be very surprised if they had not switched to the 21AXP22 by this late date. If these models were offered for two full years I wonder then if they continued with 19VP22 for at least one full year? So terribly few of these beautiful sets survive but it seems more 19"ers than 21"ers are left today.

I must admit I was surprised that the '54 models were still in the '56 catalog ..but perhaps color sales were really so poor that it did not justify Motorola working on new models....

Yeah, but I certainly wouldn't kick one o' them 19" Motos to the curb, just 'cause it wasn't a 21"....Thanks for postin' that!

Both of my Motorolas started out with 19VP22s, and both were retrofitted with 21AXP22s. Motorola sold a kit, including a new mask, etc etc. I've only seen one still to have the 19" CBS tube. I've also had two CBS-Columbia 360s; one with original 19VP22, the other had been converted. The conversion was unprofessional, so I don't know if CBS ever offered a factory upgrade or not.

Charles

Thanks for posting the brochure.
I really enjoyed the section on their color tv's.

VERY COOL!

I'm surprised I don't see my 21T34 in this brochure (the 21T28 looks quite similar).

Very interesting; my dad was an installer of Motorola sets in Montgomery Alabama in the mid 1950's and the first color set I ever watched was a 19 inch Motorola at his boss's house--they invited employees over to see the color set in their home in late 1955; it was a presentation of Heidi in like October of that year--beautiful color as I remember--everyone was enthralled at the color commercials and all. Then my brother and I would go down to the shop in the afternoon and watch Howdy Doody in color--a great thrill for a 10 and 7 year old.

We went to see Howdy Doody in color at the tv station in Jackson, MS. several times.
They had 2 sets in viewing rooms. Each could hold about 20 people.
Also went down to see Heidi.

One of the 19" motorola color sets is up for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/EARLY-COLOR-TV-Motorola-1950s-Television-model-19CT1_W0QQitemZ390064066267QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad1a14edb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10%7C66%3A4%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C29 4%3A200

I hope someone here grabs it ....as I understand these sets are pretty rare...