schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Jan 9, 2009 12:06:19 GMT -6
MAKER: French Parlor Tinfoil Phonograph MODEL: SERIAL #: none YEARS: ca. 1880 ORIGINAL COST: CASE/CABINET SIZE: 8"x6" cast iron w/ small wood horn TURNTABLE/MANDREL SIZE: 2-5/8" mandrel REPRODUCER/SOUNDBOX: metal diaphragm MOTOR: hand crank HORN DIMENSIONS: REPO PARTS: none CURRENT VALUE MINT: (Not necessarily this machine) INTERESTING FACTS: A tiny tinfoil phonograph likely used as a novelty to demonstrate the principle of sound reproduction. About a dozen are known. See Rene Rondeau's Tinfoil book for additional info.. his website also has information.. www.edisontinfoil.com/frenchparlor.htmFAVORITE CHARACTERISTIC: Colorful decoration- uncommon on early phonographs.
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 9, 2009 12:27:15 GMT -6
Steve, All I can say is adopt me! It's hard to grasp how small this machine really is! I bet next to some of the other tinfoils it really does have a "toy" feel to it.
Is the speaker made of turned wood or some other material?
thanks for being to first to post a PhonoFocus! What a great one to start off with and great photos too!
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schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Jan 9, 2009 12:42:37 GMT -6
It has a turned wood "speaker" unfortunately w/ some damage. No complaints though, it is in overall great condition.
Steve
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 9, 2009 12:59:01 GMT -6
You are right about no complaints.. It is minor to what I'm sure many of these got. So, have you recorded on it and about how long of a message can you get on that little mandrel?
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schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Jan 9, 2009 13:42:08 GMT -6
Have not tried recording on it. I just haven't taken the time. I think (it's been a while since we emailed) Rene said he could get only a short, minute or two message on his.
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Post by martinola on Jan 9, 2009 20:50:49 GMT -6
Wow. Very neat. I especially like the red decorations. Thanks for posting this. Martin
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 9, 2009 22:22:25 GMT -6
Steve,
That's a beautiful lil' tinfoil! How long have you owned it? Is there a story as to how you ended up with it? Very nice spotlight!
Regards, Scott
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 9, 2009 23:56:24 GMT -6
no spotlight... PhonoFocus!!!
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schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Jan 10, 2009 10:26:35 GMT -6
There's no real exciting story except that I ended up winning it. It was in an auction in Germany and I submitted a bid, not expecting to get it. Turned out I got lucky and it arrived in the mail soon after.. I was cruising around in the internet and came across this: www.capsnews.org/apn2005-1.htm in the Canadian Antique Phonographs Newsletter a few months later. See "At The Auction". After commission and shipping it wasn't quite the bargain that is mentioned, but still a great buy on a rare phonograph. It'll stay in my collection and get passed to my son most likely.. Steve
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Post by Moooperator on Jan 10, 2009 15:45:56 GMT -6
That's right. we are working on the adoption papers now so back off Auto!!!
That's a real lucky break! Not the story about the $15 tinfoil but that a show and tell for sure! I hope every collector gets one of those opportunity at least once. I guess mine was the A1. And ALMOST the Idela auction last year.
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Post by MTPhono on Jan 10, 2009 22:54:22 GMT -6
There's no real exciting story except that I ended up winning it. It was in an auction in Germany and I submitted a bid, not expecting to get it. Turned out I got lucky and it arrived in the mail soon after.. I was cruising around in the internet and came across this: www.capsnews.org/apn2005-1.htm in the Canadian Antique Phonographs Newsletter a few months later. See "At The Auction". After commission and shipping it wasn't quite the bargain that is mentioned, but still a great buy on a rare phonograph. It'll stay in my collection and get passed to my son most likely.. Steve Hey - at any price near what the CAPS article mentioned was a steal. Absolutely congratulations on a great tinfoil. One of the finest machines any of us could add to our collections. Thanks for the additional information! Regards, Scott
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