WXEL Newsletter/Schedule-February 1951

Here is the last page of our WXEL Vintage Photo Blog, at least for now..I don't anticipate adding any more to it, though with the nature of blogging, that could change..

Below is what appears to be a weekly Newsletter/Schedule for the week of February 18-24, 1951..Very rare item..Included in the 6-page booklet is the complete program schedule, including the network origination point of all the non-local shows..WXEL had I think a surprising number of CBS shows that WEWS-TV 5, as the primary CBS affiliate declined to carry..Local hosts included Alice Weston, Grant Wilson, Alan Freed, Sid Andorn, Clay Dopp, Jimmy Dudley, Bob Rowley and Rena and Bob Ledyard. After the schedule, there is an interesting short history of WXEL to that time..

You should be able to open each page as a separate link to read it a little better..



























J January 21, 1977 City Camera News-The Great Blizzard of 1977..

Page Four..

The final 5 pictures of the set..Also a cover of a rare book premium..

Some thoughts:
It could be said that Mr. Mayer and Family might have been featured way too much, but Broadcasting was much different in the 1940's than it is today..Empire Coil was a family company, and this was evident in the many pictures of wife and family.. Both WNBK and WEWS were put on the air by much larger companies.It was interesting to see WXEL begin to build relationships with networks and sponsors, as well as breaking in a new staff..I really have enjoyed these..Thanks again to Richard Warner for sharing..





Cover of"The Story of Little Ajax" a rare children's book written by WXEL owner Herbert Mayer..This may have been given out as a premium during early personal appearances by WXEL Staff and Management..This ties in with the Elephant mascot described in earlier pictures..




Introduction Page of the "Story Of Little Ajax" a Children's Book Written by Herbert Mayer




Left:Walter Staudt Empire Coil, W.M. Tomlin RCA, Sandra Mayer, Dorothy Jean Barrett, Bert Dunlop, Mrs. Lee Gardner, Lee Gardner of RCA

Right:Donald Campbell Empire Coil, Martin Kramer, Attorney for Empire Coil and Theodore Burgess, WXEL Sales




A programming "huddle" with Network representatives of DuMont, ABC, Paramount Television and WPIX (WXEL probably got some programming from WPIX) with Morey Amsterdam in the middle..




Original WXEL Test Pattern


WXEL Staff Dinner:Cosulting Engineer Ben Adler, Herb Mayer's son Tommy, Chief Engineer Thomas Friedman Station Manager Franklin Snyder, Program Director Russell Spires and Owner Herbert Mayer

Mortimer Loewi, a Director of DuMont Televison Network



From Big Chuck and Lil John 1994:Daytime WJW-TV Promo from 1971

Page Three,,

Nine more Pictures..I have 5 more to finish out on the next post, plus hopefully a cover of a "Little Ajax" Childrens book brought out at the time and a 1951 Newsletter that I've mentioned earlier..Its a pdf file so it may take some effort to get done but i'll do what I can..



Herbert Mayer, DuMont Executive Henry Tobin, Morey Amsterdam, DuMont Executive Mortimer Loewi and Gray Drug President Adolph Weinberger

Herb Mayer, with daughters Margot and Carlie unveil the Dedication Plaque


Herb, Margo and Carlie Mayer, just before the plaque unveiling

Herbert, Sandra Mayer and Family


Dedication Dinner


Herbert Mayer and Family once again at the Dedication Dinner (November 15, 1949)


Indians Pitching Coach Mel Harder being interviewed by WXEL sportscaster Gail Egan..Harder would be Indians Pitching Coach from 1948-63 after a playing career from 1928-47...35 years total with the Indians. Also looking on are Howard Hoffman and Russell Spires, Program Director of WXEL


Morey Amsterdam with Dedication Dinner Remarks

Robert Harris, Empire Coil Company, Morey Amsterdam and Howard Hoffman