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Zenith
Model 812 (811 Export Version), 1935. Added
to my collection in May 2001, this radio was more
difficult to find than any of the three Zenith Stratospheres! The
curved deco design of the 811 (812) cabinet makes
it one of the most desirable and unique pieces in
my collection. Why is it so scarce today? Was
it because 1935 radio buyers found a more traditional
tombstone more appealing and few sets were sold? Was
the demand for an AC/DC chassis not overwhelming? Amazingly,
this radio came to me after a Spanish radio collector
saw my need for one in the 'WANTED' section on this
website. After 2 weeks of communicating with
the help Alta Vista's language translator, the radio
was shipped from Spain and arrived in beautiful condition
in just 3 days! There are a few differences
between the 811 (chassis 5609) and 812 (chassis 5608): The
model 812 dial scale is shown entirely in meters
while the model 811displays frequency in kilocycles,
the I.F. of the 812 is 125 K.C. and the 811's is
252.5 K.C. Other features of this set include: the
introduction of Triple Filtering and reception of
domestic and foreign broadcasts. The model
811 sold for $54.95. After 66 years in Europe
this radio has finally come home to its country of
manufacture. Is this the only 812 in America? Let
me know if you have one! Incidentally, my
search still continues for a model 811, but this
certainly quenches my thirst for the cabinet style.
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