|
Post by MTPhono on Mar 17, 2009 21:07:26 GMT -6
PLEASE SHOW YOUR METAL BODIED MACHINES IN THIS THREAD! I've been in a conversation on Phono-L regarding the "Columbia" Lyric phonograph. There is some talk of correct tone arm and reproducer. The reproducer on mine is a Columbia and the tone arm appears to be Columbia produced also. Do you know if this one is original? Do you have a picture of one that we can compare here? The other guy feels that the one shown on this web page is correct but it doesn't look right to me. What do you think? www.majesticrecord.com/lyricphono.htmHere is another example for comparison: www.intertique.com/1914Page2.htm
|
|
|
Post by style6 on Mar 17, 2009 22:50:35 GMT -6
I'm sure I've seen these with the same "Columbia" arm, but I couldn't find a picture. I've only got a Europa in my pix, which also appears to have the same style arm. The one shown in the first link doesn't look right to me, and I can't remember ever seeing another Lyric with that arm either.
|
|
|
Post by MTPhono on Mar 18, 2009 21:44:50 GMT -6
Thanks for the photos. It's another data point.
Does anybody else have ANY pictures of a Lyric (the round metal bodied machine)? I would really like to solve this mystery now.
GFP - you must have run across these before. Do you have any additional information?
|
|
|
Post by roaring20s on Mar 18, 2009 23:21:05 GMT -6
Great idea in combining your quest for information with a topic in general.
A showcase of metal bodied machines increases our appreciation of this segment.
I spent a little time searching the web in regard to your question and came up dry.
James.
|
|
Steve
One Spring Motor
Posts: 40
|
Post by Steve on Mar 19, 2009 8:07:22 GMT -6
At just under 22" high and under 11" wide, the Carola ("The Nightingale Of Phonographs") must be one of the smallest cabinet machines ever produced. The cabinet is made from pressed tin with faux mahogany wood grain finish. The machine uses the reflex system to amplify the sound from a small oval shaped horn attached via elbow to the soundbox, off the lid similar to a Decca or Pathe "Elf". The horn is described as "violin fibre". At only $15 when new it was a serious machine for adults on a budget and not a child's toy as it is often misrepresented with being. The motor was made by General Industries of Ohio and is a simple single spring type although it is capable of playing a 12" record through. The soundbox has a celluloid type diaphragm sandwiched between sponge type gasket rings. It plays quite well for such a miniscule machine! The door below the motor board is, believe it or not, a record storage cupboard. The idea was to allow the machine to be moved and continually repositioned at the listener's feet (more or less) and to save the owner the indignity of having to keep getting up every 3 minutes to wind the machine up and change the record. It is so designed as to allow the listener to remain seated whilst fulfilling these operations, so it was a machine of the utmost convenience and a kind of gramophone equivalent to a foot stool. The only snag was that as lightweight as it is, the addition of a few dozen records does not make it particularly light or practical to keep moving about! A somewhat flawed concept, then but an intriguing one at that.
|
|
|
Post by Moooperator on Mar 19, 2009 8:50:46 GMT -6
Steve, I too always thought this was a child's toy. For something made for the budget minded consumer the ad has some pretty well to do listeners in the photo.
|
|
|
Post by Moooperator on Mar 19, 2009 9:40:25 GMT -6
Here is an all metal with the outside metal horn that sold on ebay for $530... Not bad.
|
|
|
Post by MTPhono on Mar 19, 2009 9:44:45 GMT -6
Nice machine Steve. I've always liked those and still seek to find a good example. It's interesting that this was not sold only as a child's phonograph. Is there any indication that it was marketed to both children and adults? I've got a few more to add:
|
|
Steve
One Spring Motor
Posts: 40
|
Post by Steve on Mar 19, 2009 10:08:45 GMT -6
Scott Please forgive me if I drool mid-sentence but I'm looking at your last pictures! I have several original ads for the Carola and there is no evidence anywhere that they were indeed ever advertised as "children's" phonos. They were just intended for grown ups (or maybe short ones!). Steve
|
|
|
Post by roaring20s on Mar 19, 2009 22:54:48 GMT -6
Here an addition to Tin Pan Alley... Excelda Cameraphone by Thorens James.
|
|
|
Post by yesteryear1 on Mar 21, 2009 11:59:41 GMT -6
Are you sure that the first phonograph shown in this thread is correctly labeled as a Columbia Lyric Phonograph? The only Columbia Lyric I am aware of is a low priced wood cabinet type Grafanola internal horn machine. Also the only metal bodied Lyric that I am currently aware of was made by the Lyraphone Co. of New York City around 1914 or 15 or so. Could you show us a close up of the little ID sticker just below the turntable? That could hold a clue as to the true origin of this little metal treasure. It sure does resemble a Lyraphone Co. Lyric though and Thanks for the interesting post. I am just getting into this forum and it seems like really good exchanges going on.
|
|
|
Post by MTPhono on Mar 21, 2009 13:04:14 GMT -6
Hi Yesteryear, Take a look at this link. You'll see the decal though it is a bit hard to read. It is definitely reads Lyric by Lyraphone. It's a little clearer in person. www.montanaphonograph.com/gallery/lyric.htmlRegarding the reference to "Columbia" - I believe these were contracted to be built by Columbia for Lyraphone, mainly to be sold in the European markets. They were also offered in the US. Feel free to introduce yourself in a new thread. We're glad to have you and look forward to your future involvement. Regards, Scott
|
|
|
Post by yesteryear1 on Mar 21, 2009 15:29:46 GMT -6
Thanks, I have been collecting awhile and have a modest collection consisting of different types of phonographs, Edison, Victors and Columbia with a few other models such as an Aeolian Graduola upright & Sonora Elite. I also have a couple of minis (a Peter Pan Cameraphone and a Mignonphone). I have both horned machines of the cylinder and disc variety, but basic types and nothing really ornate or top of the line models. I also collect records and Cylinders. I love the really old historic stuff from the turn of the last century, but my record collection is very eclectic and covers a really great range of recorded sound genres from the mid 1890's to about the mid 1930's. Your Lyric is a really nice example of that talking machine era when so many Companies jumped into the business as the patents expired, and as you know, many jumped in but very few were successful and many failed quite quickly. As you are aware, Columbia made quite a few client disc machines for sears, and standard and Harmony and United, but in all instances those Companies retained their names or brand names like (Harvard or Oxford for Sears) on the phonographs, and did not use the Columbia Name on the phonographs anywhere. Nor to my knowledge did Columbia ever use the name of another Company on any of its phonogaphs, let alone prominently marked with an ID plate on the top of the talking machine . Also as you state, if Lyraphone Contracted with Columbia to actually build these machines for them, why would Lyraphone than refer to the machine as a Columbia Lyric Model and sell it on the European Market as such? That would really seem to be an rather odd marketing arrangement unlike any that I am aware of during that historic time period. Perhaps someone else with one of the fascinating little ornate metal talking machines could come forward and clarify this situation for us. Again thanks so much for your hospitality in welcoming me to this forum, and I hope to be a continuing and active contributor.
|
|
|
Post by style6 on Mar 21, 2009 19:55:55 GMT -6
I doubt you'll ever see another one of these. They were made in Australia in 1952-53, and were used to play religious records (in Aboriginal languages) to Aboriginals communities in an attempt to convert them to christianity.
|
|
|
Post by MTPhono on Mar 21, 2009 21:44:48 GMT -6
Very cool Shane. I'll bet your right - most (likely none) have never seen anything like this. Thanks for sharing this one - it's possibly possibly the most unique of the metal bodied phonos!
|
|