Featured Phonograph № 114 - Sonora Invincible
Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 10:12 pm
Model:Sonora Invincible
Serial #: 190603
Year(s) Made: 1916
Original Cost: No. 1 $375. Mahogany (Special Order Cireassin or American Walnut $30 extra)
Case/Cabinet Size: Width 24 inches, Height 52 inches, depth 24 inches
Turntable/Mandrel: 12-Inch
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Sonora, with swiveling arm assembly to play lateral and vertical cut discs. Mine is chrome plated and it should be gold colored to match the rest of the trim. Hopefully, I will find a replacement in gold.
Motor: Extra Heavy, Triple Spring, Gold Plated, Plays Nearly 45 Minutes or Fifteen 10 inch Records.
Horn Dimensions: Internal
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: $1200.00 (NFS)
Interesting Facts: A brief history of the Sonora Elite Phonograph with its famous Bulge sided Ornate Cabinet, and other unique Features. Sonora was founded in the early 19teens and offered this unique style of Cabinetry on its top of the line models such as the Supreme, Invincible, Grand, Elite, and Baby Grand. Each machine came with an Official Sonora Guarantee Certificate, which protected the Phonograph against any material defects for 1 year. Each certificate contained the facsimile signature of George Brightman, the President of Sonora, and on the reverse side was proudly listed all of the patents and their origins under which Sonora produced its phonographs. The Cabinets also had the Sonora Patented Record Storage just below the horn, as well as a handy pull out Storage draw where you could keep spare parts, and catalogs and other record or phonograph related items. The Sonora ornate all wood Tone arm was also a unique and special option, which the Company touted as offering a Complete wood "sound page" assuring excellence in tone and overall sound quality. Sonora's Bulge sided Cabinets were made and patented by The Herzog Art Cabinet Co. of Saginaw Michigan, a Company which was started by John Herzog back around the turn of the last century and specialized in the mfg. of artistic furniture, Cabinets, and also made early Cylinder storage cabinets for the Then fledgling Phonograph Industry. It's most remembered design were these famous bulge sided cabinets which were offered by Sonora. Sonora later move its production facilities to Saginaw in 1917, and two years later purchased the entire facilities owned and operated by John Herzog. Herzog was so proud and enamored to his bulge sided cabinet design, that he modeled the porch on his Home in Saginaw after it, and also had his Gardeners trim some of the huge hedges on his estate in that shape as well. The Sonora Co. continued its success into the 1920's but when with the great depression of 1929, and record and phonograph sales soon falling to but a small fraction of pre depression numbers, the Company went bankrupt in 1930.
Thanks to R. Coon of Appleton, WI for all the Sonoma Company history.
Favorite Characteristics: The motor meter automatically indicating at all times the number of records that can be played before rewinding is necessary. The speed control and the automatic stop. The best feature is the beautiful bulge sided cabinet. It's a work of art by itself.
Serial #: 190603
Year(s) Made: 1916
Original Cost: No. 1 $375. Mahogany (Special Order Cireassin or American Walnut $30 extra)
Case/Cabinet Size: Width 24 inches, Height 52 inches, depth 24 inches
Turntable/Mandrel: 12-Inch
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Sonora, with swiveling arm assembly to play lateral and vertical cut discs. Mine is chrome plated and it should be gold colored to match the rest of the trim. Hopefully, I will find a replacement in gold.
Motor: Extra Heavy, Triple Spring, Gold Plated, Plays Nearly 45 Minutes or Fifteen 10 inch Records.
Horn Dimensions: Internal
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: $1200.00 (NFS)
Interesting Facts: A brief history of the Sonora Elite Phonograph with its famous Bulge sided Ornate Cabinet, and other unique Features. Sonora was founded in the early 19teens and offered this unique style of Cabinetry on its top of the line models such as the Supreme, Invincible, Grand, Elite, and Baby Grand. Each machine came with an Official Sonora Guarantee Certificate, which protected the Phonograph against any material defects for 1 year. Each certificate contained the facsimile signature of George Brightman, the President of Sonora, and on the reverse side was proudly listed all of the patents and their origins under which Sonora produced its phonographs. The Cabinets also had the Sonora Patented Record Storage just below the horn, as well as a handy pull out Storage draw where you could keep spare parts, and catalogs and other record or phonograph related items. The Sonora ornate all wood Tone arm was also a unique and special option, which the Company touted as offering a Complete wood "sound page" assuring excellence in tone and overall sound quality. Sonora's Bulge sided Cabinets were made and patented by The Herzog Art Cabinet Co. of Saginaw Michigan, a Company which was started by John Herzog back around the turn of the last century and specialized in the mfg. of artistic furniture, Cabinets, and also made early Cylinder storage cabinets for the Then fledgling Phonograph Industry. It's most remembered design were these famous bulge sided cabinets which were offered by Sonora. Sonora later move its production facilities to Saginaw in 1917, and two years later purchased the entire facilities owned and operated by John Herzog. Herzog was so proud and enamored to his bulge sided cabinet design, that he modeled the porch on his Home in Saginaw after it, and also had his Gardeners trim some of the huge hedges on his estate in that shape as well. The Sonora Co. continued its success into the 1920's but when with the great depression of 1929, and record and phonograph sales soon falling to but a small fraction of pre depression numbers, the Company went bankrupt in 1930.
Thanks to R. Coon of Appleton, WI for all the Sonoma Company history.
Favorite Characteristics: The motor meter automatically indicating at all times the number of records that can be played before rewinding is necessary. The speed control and the automatic stop. The best feature is the beautiful bulge sided cabinet. It's a work of art by itself.
