Was there a link between Curtis Mathes and Natalie Kalmus?
 

Did some of the designers from the old Natalie Kalmus company design the first consoles for Curtis Mathes is a well kept secret. Curtis Mathes tried to unite audio systems with furniture style. These sets were sold at a premium above the cost of average stereos. This was more predominant in the time frame when tubes were used. A leader in TV and stereo furniture was "Natilie Kalmus" both a designer name and a brand for a while. It’s possible that Curtis was influenced by those designs or even used some. Very little is known about the Natalie Kalmus company, other than it was in business less than three years and was located in southern California in the early 1950s. However some evidence shows the company was in business from 1950 to 1959. This would put the companies designer out of work the same year Curtis Mathes started their line of stereos and televisions. There was a real person named Natalie Kalmus (ca. 1878-1965), who is credited with being the co-developer of the Technicolor process.
At the time I was with Curtis Mathes there was a ongoing belief of a link between the two companies designers, tragically when the CM company went though bankruptcy 1992 the company records were thrown into the dumpsters. So somewhere in a landfill in Texas is the answer to this mystery.
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/455...iekalmustv.jpg
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/8...lmus521mcc.jpg
Below is a awesome Curtis Mathes stereo console from 1960.
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7772/curtismathesa.jpg

I rather doubt it, but anything's possible. The Natalie Kalmus sets were very ultra-outlandish and modern, whereas the CM sets were mainly traditional and contemporary cabinets. If anything, I'd say Natalie Kalmus had striking similarities to Kaye-Halbert; such as the planter boxes and very similar cabinetry and similar chassis layout.

Charles

Hi Charles,
I was always on the side you are taking as well. I just think some folks remember the huge consoles of that era and thought there was a connecting even though Curtis Mathes of the early 1960’s were much more Danish modern, French provincial, and Early American for the most part. Whereas the Natalie Kalmus company designs always reminded me of the 1920’s art deco period for some reason.
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/776...smathesaaa.jpg
These models set the mood for most of the 1960's.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1821/cmnumber7.jpg

Hi Glenn,

would you have any literature or info on my set?

I've been under the impression it was a 1961 model, I bought it for $15 at a thrift store near me. It worked when I got it and now it has a new 23" CRT (from Charles) and a rebuilt tuner (from Louis Stangle), I still need to re cap it and get the Phono running someday.

It's only B&W but it weighs a ton, two people had a heck of a time moving it in the house.

Eric

Sams for your set is from January 1963

Check your pm...sent you a link to the Sams pdf for your set

Bryan

Thank you bkharris "Bryan" for helping Eric.
I will keep a look out for any Ads or stuff for your CM model she is a beauty Eric! This is a wonderful site for folks because we all could use a little help with our projects! I will also do some and some file digging in my CM records.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9830/cmrecord10.jpg
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/817...athesplant.jpg

Hi Eric:music:
I am still trying to find some paper-work, ads etc. on you console,
I did run across this somewhere,
Some of the console look similar to yours!
I think it was on ebay but I did-not get to bid on it, or got out bidded,
I cannot remember, it is all down hill after 50<LOL> brain fade....
So much to save, so little time.
This was an ad from the early 1960's:banana:
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4417/sadx.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/6512/sad2l.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9292/sad3r.jpg

...I'll take 3 of them "Universitys", please...(grin)

I'll take the CT-100's in the previous post:thmbsp::smoke:

Glenn, that top middle set on the second page looks just like mine! Can't make out the name on it but the MSRP was apparently $299.

Don't be greedy...(grin)

Hi Eric,:banana:
It is hard to read, I only wished I had bided higher on eBay.
I think it is “The Greensboro” Model AG 223.
I am not sure it is AG so hard to tell the scan is not very good.
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2326/cmbros.jpg
I have a bunch of CM brochures somewhere in my television fallout shelter if only I can locate them. :music:
I just must not give up hope, I know that Ike would not!
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1818/aaagc.jpghttp://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9...inmissatom.jpg

Wasn't Curtis Mathis "the most expensive television set in America and darn well worth it?"

Yes . . . and no. :P

Wasn't Our Nat reputedly an absolute Pill to work with, a Ball-Buster who wasn't very well liked in the industry ? A couple of things I've read, & kinda "Reading Between the Lines" a little would sorta suggest that...Or maybe she was just a tough broad in a time when women WEREN'T sposed to be like that...

One book says that dear Natalie was seldom mentioned without a word rhyming with "itch" in the same sentence.

She so infuriated some American directors that she was for a time banned to Europe to irritate Technicolor customers there.

Oh, yeah, & "Technicolor" was worse about collecting "Tribute" than the Gambinos & Lucchessis ever DREAMED about being...Y'know, its kinda amazing how many uhh, "Interesting" personalities there have been in the Audio/Visual world...Edison was kinda flaky, apparently didn't believe in taking baths too much...Tesla was, well, kinda "Out there", too...Gen Sarnoff was a meglomaniac..."I don't GET ulcers...I GIVE them" was a quote attributed to him...Stubblefield apparently Saw Boogers, too...I mean, the list goes on & on...

Unfortunately that's true of many successful individuals in any field of endevour.

John

That is very correct old tv nut,
sadly not to many pieces written about Natalie Kalmus have been found that did not include the word that starts with a "B" and sounds like witch.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1...aliekalmus.jpg
As far as Curtis Mathes is concerned, the very flashy car lot like “CM Show Rooms” of the 1970’s and 80’s made you think you were getting the very best; especially when you sat down and filled out the monthly payment plan for your "most expensive television and dam worth it." Much like Toyota did with their showrooms.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/268/cmwasson1.jpg