Talking Machine Broadside - eBay

[KCW]

Really cool piece. Any ideas in the era? 1500$ seems awfully expensive though. I’ve not seen another one like it.

[KCW]

Has anyone out there seen anything like this before?

[phonogfp]

Has anyone out there seen anything like this before?

Not exactly like this one, but several variations that are quite similar. Sears, Roebuck, & Co. issued a few different versions in large numbers. (They can typically be had for around $50.) The Entertainment Supply Company (also of Chicago) used very similar broadsides, often with the same text. There were two articles in the APS magazine showing a variety of these broadsides.

George P.

[KCW]

Very interesting. I find these absolutely fascinating. Where can I find the APS article? I’d love to see the 50$ version too. I looked around online and found an interesting one from 1903 talking about Edison specifically. What phonograph would they be using in a concert hall in 1903? A concert? Could it really project that well? I have an early Edison Concert with a pretty big horn and it’s not too loud!

[KCW]

I read the broadside closely and it appears they mention that the phonograph used was an Edison Concert. I find it very hard to believe that this would project enough for an entire music hall. I know that this is what was done, but it seems that it would be heard, but not very welll!

[edisonplayer]

I have a couple of those.edisonplayer.

[KCW]

The Edison ones? They seem very rare!

[Curt A]

The only thing that seems unusual about this one is the reference to "Talks Talk" which is on an early Berliner brochure that Shawn reproduced several years ago... This may be from a Berliner exhibition.

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[KCW]

I think it’s interesting enough that I would buy it if I could afford it! As an Edison collector though, I really like that Edison one though. But 4500$ is way out of the question.

[JerryVan]

I read the broadside closely and it appears they mention that the phonograph used was an Edison Concert. I find it very hard to believe that this would project enough for an entire music hall. I know that this is what was done, but it seems that it would be heard, but not very welll!

In an era predating microphones and amplifiers, perhaps folks were more accustomed to low volume and straining to hear. I think of our church, built in 1889. Even with a great sound system, it's a bit difficult to hear things towards the back of the congregation. What must it have been like in 1889? (And in Latin, no less...)