Post by phonogfp on Sept 5, 2010 9:46:23 GMT -6
It's always a treat to see the brown Sound Box wrapper in the mailbox, and this latest issue is another good one. 7 articles, 45 illustrations, graphs, and 6 pages of ads and auction announcements all make for entertaining and edifying reading. Further information is available at 3 online addresses given in various articles.
Patrick Feaster and Stephan Puille contribute a ground-breaking and well-researched article on the beginning of the Emile Berliner's Gramophone enterprise in 1889. Two very early German gramophone recordings exist as paper prints, and, like the Phonoautograph tracings last year, these prints have been made audible under the auspices of FirstSounds.org. The recordings are far more interesting than might be imagined, as both are spoken by Berliner himself, as well as a snippet by his early collaborator Louis Rosenthal. Audio of both discs is available online. The content of these extremely early discs is analyzed in the article and throws light on Berliner's establishment of his new Gramophone enterprise.
Editor Rene Rondeau has written an interesting article on Urbain Fondain and his tinfoil phonographs, as well as the later application of his designs by Eugene Ducretet. A Fondain phonograph can be seen in operation at an online address. This article contains 12 illustrations!
Robert Baumbach has written an article on "Victor, and the Transition to Radio." In addition to the informative text, there are illustrations of a variety of radio sets installed in Victrolas of the mid-20s, including one in a lid! A most interesting look at a brief period in phonographic history.
Allen Koenigsberg has written about the first phonograph magazine, the Phonogram of 1891-1893. Interestingly, its Editor was a woman, Virginia McRae. The contents of the magazine is examined, including some illustrations and even a photo of Miss McRae herself.
"The Unappreciated Horn Support" is the first of a multi-part (but not contiguous) series of articles that documents these ubiquitous but often unknown and mis-matched components. This first installment deals with Hawthorne & Sheble and its best-known cranes.
Carsten Fischer, with help from The Sound Box editorial team, has prepared an overview of "The Best Portables in the World." Six models from various manufacturers are spotlighted with star ratings for sound and design. Notes on maintenance problems are also included. Horn length, weight, and dimensions are contained in 2 graphs, and more information is available at an online address.
Finally, a brief report on the Annual CAPS Show & Sale is included. Of the 3 illustrations, one features the only known upper carriage from a Columbia Multiplex Grand, and the only known surviving cylinder record for it. I wish I had been there!
Congratulations to Rene Rondeau for another great issue!
George P.
Patrick Feaster and Stephan Puille contribute a ground-breaking and well-researched article on the beginning of the Emile Berliner's Gramophone enterprise in 1889. Two very early German gramophone recordings exist as paper prints, and, like the Phonoautograph tracings last year, these prints have been made audible under the auspices of FirstSounds.org. The recordings are far more interesting than might be imagined, as both are spoken by Berliner himself, as well as a snippet by his early collaborator Louis Rosenthal. Audio of both discs is available online. The content of these extremely early discs is analyzed in the article and throws light on Berliner's establishment of his new Gramophone enterprise.
Editor Rene Rondeau has written an interesting article on Urbain Fondain and his tinfoil phonographs, as well as the later application of his designs by Eugene Ducretet. A Fondain phonograph can be seen in operation at an online address. This article contains 12 illustrations!
Robert Baumbach has written an article on "Victor, and the Transition to Radio." In addition to the informative text, there are illustrations of a variety of radio sets installed in Victrolas of the mid-20s, including one in a lid! A most interesting look at a brief period in phonographic history.
Allen Koenigsberg has written about the first phonograph magazine, the Phonogram of 1891-1893. Interestingly, its Editor was a woman, Virginia McRae. The contents of the magazine is examined, including some illustrations and even a photo of Miss McRae herself.
"The Unappreciated Horn Support" is the first of a multi-part (but not contiguous) series of articles that documents these ubiquitous but often unknown and mis-matched components. This first installment deals with Hawthorne & Sheble and its best-known cranes.
Carsten Fischer, with help from The Sound Box editorial team, has prepared an overview of "The Best Portables in the World." Six models from various manufacturers are spotlighted with star ratings for sound and design. Notes on maintenance problems are also included. Horn length, weight, and dimensions are contained in 2 graphs, and more information is available at an online address.
Finally, a brief report on the Annual CAPS Show & Sale is included. Of the 3 illustrations, one features the only known upper carriage from a Columbia Multiplex Grand, and the only known surviving cylinder record for it. I wish I had been there!
Congratulations to Rene Rondeau for another great issue!
George P.