The Official Vintage Curtis Mathes site by Glenn Waters
The Official Vintage Curtis Mathes site by Glenn Waters
Curtis Mathes, Vintage Electronics, Televisions, Stereos, Radios, VCRs, Multiplexes, Speakers, Eight Track Players, Cassette Tape Decks, Reel to Reel Players, Wall to Wall Entertainment Centers, Curtis Mathes LPs, Camcorders, Mathes Coolers and Fans, Made in the USA. Design
Welcome to the Curtis Mathes Vintage Site by Glenn Waters, here we cover every aspect of the early days and the golden era of Curtis Mathes. From the early days of the Mathes Cooler Fans the the start of the Curtis Mathes Electronics Company. We cover every aspect from the first Curtis Mathes televisions to the last television to come off the assembly line in Athens Texas. Curtis Mathes Advertisements, Curtis Mathes Stereos, Curtis Mathes wall to wall complete Entertainment Centers, Curtis Mathes VCR Players and recorders, Curtis Mathes Camcorder, Curtis Mathes LPs and Records, Curtis Mathes Reel to Reel, Console Television Combos, Curtis Mathes Cassette Players, there is so much more, the list of electronics is amazing. Today Curtis Mathes today stands as a reminder of an era when televisions were crafted as enduring centerpieces of the living room, combining reliable performance, thoughtful engineering, and sophisticated design into a single statement of American craftsmanship. Curtis Mathes will always be remembered as one of America's most respected names in premium home entertainment. In the 1980s The Curtis Mathes - Las Colinas Design Group, led by visionary designer Glenn Waters, earned acclaim for merging architectural proportion with technological precision. Their design philosophy emphasized harmony between form and function, ensuring every Curtis Mathes console served not simply as an electronic device, but as a centerpiece of gracious living.

WELCOME
New Years Eve 1960, and these guest are amazed at the New Imperial Dane for 1961, they had to bring this model out a whole new door for 1961 at Curtis Mathes.
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Welcome to New Years Eve 1960, and these guest are amazed at the New Imperial Dane for 1961, they had to bring this model out a whole new door for 1961 at Curtis Mathes.
The Imperial Dane would be delivered in one truck and assembled, three sections the lower section with the turntable, FM/AM multiplex, reel to reel, and then the middle television, and then the book case magazine display top. It would all be anchored together into to one massive wall unit that would be a single piece of furniture. the whole unit would come in a large blue Curtis Mathes Truck with a team of four strong men to assemble the wall unit. I been in two homes that were being torn-down with a still functioning Imperial Dane still attached to a living room wall. I remember on man had a Imperial Dane that a crew had to take out a wall to get it out to put in his new home.

1961 Curtis Mathes "The Royal Viking" Entertainment Center
A magnificent expression of American craftsmanship and early 1960s luxury, the 1961 Curtis Mathes Royal Viking Entertainment Center represents an era when home entertainment was designed to be the centerpiece of family life

The photo above is of the 1961 Curtis Mathes "The Royal Viking" Entertainment Center
A magnificent expression of American craftsmanship and early 1960s luxury, the 1961 Curtis Mathes Royal Viking Entertainment Center represents an era when home entertainment was designed to be the centerpiece of family life. Measuring an impressive 76 inches long, 22.5 inches deep, and 30 inches high, this extraordinary four-in-one entertainment system combines a television, AM/FM radio, high-fidelity phonograph, and reel-to-reel tape recorder within a beautifully crafted custom oiled walnut cabinet.
Handcrafted in Texas and proudly Made in the USA, the Royal Viking was built to the exacting standards that made Curtis Mathes famous throughout America. Rich walnut grain flows gracefully across the cabinet's broad façade, while elegant proportions and finely detailed speaker grilles reflect the sophisticated styling of the Mid-Century Modern era.
At the heart of the system is the renowned Curtis Mathes Super MR6 Television Chassis, featuring a premium CM Picture Tube and the rugged Super 14B hand-wired power transformer, delivering exceptional picture quality and dependable performance. Television viewing in 1961 became an event as family and friends gathered to enjoy favorite programs in brilliant clarity.
The audio section is equally impressive. A powerful 10-watt dual-channel stereo amplifier drives six matched high-fidelity speakers through a carefully engineered crossover network, creating rich, room-filling sound. Whether tuning into the AM High Fidelity Radio or enjoying the superior reception of the FM Full Fidelity Radio, listeners experienced the warmth and realism that made Curtis Mathes a leader in premium home entertainment.
Music lovers could enjoy their favorite recordings on the custom four-speed record changer, equipped with a precision diamond stylus for excellent record reproduction and long record life. The integrated reel-to-reel tape recorder added another level of sophistication, allowing families to record special occasions, favorite broadcasts, and treasured memories.
In 1961, a console of this caliber would have occupied a place of honor within a handsome family den much like the one shown here. Sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, casting a warm glow across polished walnut furniture and textured carpeting. A sculptural Mid-Century coffee table anchors the room, while contemporary artwork, ceramic planters, and elegant table lamps create an atmosphere of modern comfort and refinement. The soft earth tones of the furnishings complement the rich walnut finish of the Royal Viking, making the console appear as though it was custom designed for the space.
On a typical afternoon, children might be seen playing in the backyard beyond the glass doors while the television broadcasts a favorite western. Later in the evening, records from Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, or Percy Faith might spin on the changer as neighbors gather for conversation and coffee. The Royal Viking was more than a piece of furniture; it was the technological and social heart of the home.
Today, the 1961 Curtis Mathes Royal Viking Entertainment Center stands as a remarkable example of American engineering and Mid-Century design, combining television, radio, recorded music, and tape recording into one elegant walnut masterpiece. It remains a striking reminder of a time when quality was built to last, craftsmanship mattered, and family entertainment revolved around a single beautiful center of attention. #CurtisMathesRoyalViking #MadeInTexasMadeInUSA #MidCenturyModernLiving #VintageHiFiLuxury
#1961HomeEntertainment #WalnutConsoleStereo #CurtisMathes #VintageElectronics #ConsoleStereo
Curtis Mathes Hanover Model H1523: A Return to Grandeur
In this French Provençal living room, the Curtis Mathes Hanover Model H1523 reigns as both a technological marvel and a sculptural masterpiece. Its hand‑rubbed hardwood cabinet, adorned with woven panels and graceful cabriole legs, feels perfectly at home among the soft stucco walls, lavender‑filled urns, and sun‑washed tapestries of the room

In the Photo above is the Curtis Mathes Hanover Model H1523: A Return to Grandeur
In this French Provençal living room, the Curtis Mathes Hanover Model H1523 reigns as both a technological marvel and a sculptural masterpiece. Its hand‑rubbed hardwood cabinet, adorned with woven panels and graceful cabriole legs, feels perfectly at home among the soft stucco walls, lavender‑filled urns, and sun‑washed tapestries of the room. A lovely woman sitting on a couch watching the television the year is 1961, and she is affluent and enjoying the male singer on the television screen.
The console’s polished walnut gleams beneath the gentle afternoon light, while the delicate antianna perched atop adds a touch of aristocratic whimsy—an echo of rural French refinement meeting American innovation. On the curved glass screen, a handsome crooner in a 1961 tuxedo performs in luminous black‑and‑white, his poised elegance harmonizing with the console’s stately presence.
This setting evokes a world where craftsmanship and culture intertwined: the Hanover’s “Three‑in‑One” system—television, stereo, and record changer—was not merely entertainment but an experience of sophistication. Its six‑speaker array fills the Provençal air with warm, resonant sound, complementing the scent of aged wood and lavender.
Here, technology becomes timeless art. The Curtis Mathes console stands as a proud heirloom of mid‑century luxury—
Curtis Mathes Hanover Model H1523: Grandeur in a French Provençal Salon. In this sun‑washed French Provençal living room, the Curtis Mathes Hanover Model H1523 stands not merely as an appliance, but as a statement of cultivated taste. Its Majestic French Provincial cabinetry, hand‑rubbed and meticulously assembled by dedicated craftsmen, blends seamlessly with the room’s rustic plaster walls, carved armoires, and soft lavender textiles. The console’s sweeping legs and woven grille panels echo the region’s heritage of artisanal woodworking, making the Hanover feel as though it has always belonged in this refined countryside retreat.
Perched atop the console, the delicate antiana adds a touch of aristocratic charm—an object that feels at home among Provençal antiques and heirlooms. Above it, a framed sketch of a village street scene completes the tableau, grounding the console in a world where elegance is lived, not performed.
But beneath its sculpted exterior lies the true soul of the Hanover. Marketed under the bold Curtis Mathes promise— “the most expensive television set in America and darn well worth it”—this model was engineered as a premium centerpiece for the mid‑century home. Inside the cabinet rests a High-Fidelity combination system: a black‑and‑white television powered by the renowned Curtis Mathes chassis, a full‑fidelity AM/FM radio, and a 4‑speed record changer capable of playing 16, 33, 45, and 78 RPM records. The Super 15A hand‑wired amplifier and three‑speaker high‑fidelity array deliver warm, room‑filling sound that mingles beautifully with the Provençal ambiance.
On the curved CRT screen, a handsome crooner in a 1961 tuxedo performs in luminous monochrome, his presence adding a touch of glamour to the rustic setting. His poised silhouette, framed by the console’s ornate cabinet, evokes a time when entertainment was an experience—something shared, savored, and proudly displayed.
The Hanover’s generous proportions—over 90 inches wide—give it the stature of fine furniture rather than electronics. Curtis Mathes built these consoles to be heirlooms, crafted with fine materials, skilled craftsmen, exceptional facilities, and artistically applied techniques. In this French Provençal living room, those values resonate deeply. The console becomes a bridge between American mid‑century innovation and Old-World charm, a timeless union of craftsmanship and culture.
“The most expensive television set in America and darn well worth it.” #CurtisMathesHeritage #HanoverModelElegance #FrenchProvençalCharm
#MidCenturyLuxury #vintagetelevisionart #TimelessDesignLegacy
The Curtis Mathes "Imperial Dane" Wall Console Model 108-12W
A Vision of American Home Entertainment, 1961
In 1961, the American Living Room was rapidly becoming the Center of Family Life, and few Furnishings represented this Transformation more impressively than the Curtis Mathes "Imperial Dane" Wall Console

#CurtisMathes #ImperialDane #MidCenturyModern #DanishModern #VintageTelevision #1961Living #WalnutFurniture #RetroInteriors #HiFiHistory #AmericanHomeLife #VintageElectronics #VintageTV #CurtisMathesCollectors #TelevisionHistory #HiFiStereo #TubeTV #AmericanManufacturing #RetroTechnology #ClassicHiFi #midcenturycollection
In the photo above is the Curtis Mathes "Imperial Dane" Wall Console
A Vision of American Home Entertainment, 1961
In 1961, the American living room was rapidly becoming the center of family life, and few furnishings represented this transformation more impressively than the Curtis Mathes "Imperial Dane" wall console. Designed to blend the latest entertainment technology with sophisticated Danish-inspired furniture styling, this remarkable wall unit stood as a symbol of modern living and postwar prosperity.
Shown here in a tastefully decorated 1961 living room, the Imperial Dane serves as both the focal point of the room and the family's primary entertainment center. Rich walnut cabinetry stretches across the wall, combining spacious bookshelves, storage compartments, and high-fidelity electronics into a single harmonious design. The clean lines, warm woodgrain, and architectural scale reflect the growing popularity of Danish Modern styling that influenced American interiors throughout the early 1960s.
Seated comfortably nearby, a television viewer enjoys an evening broadcast while surrounded by the colorful furnishings and contemporary décor of the period. The room's geometric area rug, sleek walnut furniture, decorative ceramics, and patterned draperies capture the optimism and modern design sensibilities that defined middle-class American homes during this era.
The featured entertainment center is the Curtis Mathes Imperial Dane, Model 108-12W, one of the company's premier home entertainment systems. Advertised as a "High Fidelity Combination Television, AM/FM Radio Stereo," the Imperial Dane offered an exceptional array of features for its time. At its heart was a powerful stereophonic system powered by a 30-watt dual-channel high-fidelity amplifier, complemented by six matched speakers utilizing a crossover network for rich, room-filling sound.
The system included:
High-Fidelity AM Radio
Full-Fidelity FM Radio
Stereophonic AM/FM radio simulcast capability
Custom four-speed stereophonic record changer
Diamond stylus for superior record reproduction
Six-speaker high-fidelity sound system
New 23-inch Curtis Mathes high-fidelity picture tube
Super MRG television chassis
"Magic Tuning Eye" and automatic frequency control for precise FM tuning
Provisions for tape deck multiplexing and extension speakers
Generous record and entertainment storage compartments
The Imperial Dane was more than a television or stereo system. It was an integrated entertainment center designed to bring music, news, sports, and television programming together within one elegant piece of furniture. Measuring an impressive 110 inches wide and standing over 83 inches high when equipped with its matching bookcase, it occupied an entire wall and instantly conveyed refinement, quality, and technological sophistication. #CurtisMathes #ImperialDane #MidCenturyModern #DanishModern #VintageTelevision #1961Living #WalnutFurniture #RetroInteriors #HiFiHistory #AmericanHomeLife #VintageElectronics #VintageTV #CurtisMathesCollectors #TelevisionHistory #HiFiStereo #TubeTV #AmericanManufacturing #RetroTechnology #ClassicHiFi #midcenturycollection
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The New Curtis Mathes Line for 1961 Curtis Mathes Serving American Homes for 62 Years.
The New Curtis Mathes Line for 1961 Curtis Mathes Serving American Homes for 62 Years.



Back in 1961 the world of Curtis Mathes was the world of Elegance and beauty.
Back in 1961 the world of Curtis Mathes was the world of Elegance and beauty.











