The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I believe it's a prototype for a day-night machine. Also, a very early transition piece between a cylinder machine (note horn) and an internal horn Victor. Every home should have one but alas this piece may be unique. Then again, maybe not?

Wonderful original machine. Shame someone has stuck those flower transfers on it.

Is this an ebay or craigslist item? This could be Victor's version of the Pathé Jour-Et-Nuit(Spelling)?????
Harvey Kravitz

i spotted it on Liveauctioneers.com.

Which makes me wonder if we have a topic for modified machines like this. I've seen some very interesting and some very creative modifications on the Forum, some old, some not-so-old. Could be interesting to develop a database, if it doesn't already exist. Those machines clearly meant to deceive, such as the so-called frankenphones and crapolas, would/should not be included.

Actually, in my opinion, this is a cobbled up, hodgepodge, frank-en-phone.
Harvey Kravitz

I hope you are joking about this being a "prototype"... unless you mean a prototype of a new variation of Crap-O-Franken-Phone. A backmount made from an eyebolt with a horn connector made from plastic tubing...

jboger wrote:I believe it's a prototype for a day-night machine.

I agree with the others, it looks like a modification that was done on the part of one of the machine's owners.

As for the reason this was done, If I had to guess, I'd say the intention was to double the volume, though how successful this would be compared to an as-is model, I don't know. If all the connections are air-tight, it should function as a double horn, and would have an expanded tone.

OrthoFan

Yes, kidding with the bit about a prototype. It is a frankenphone in that it's made from parts from more than one machine, but it doesn't look like it was intended to deceive the unwary and unsuspecting neophyte. There was a very interesting machine sold on eBay a few months ago. If I remember correctly, it was some sort of table-top creation with a kazoo for a horn. Very imaginative. Then there was a machine made to look like an elaborate opera house or music hall. And wasn't there also a goat? Some of these concoctions are inspired (IMHO).

Bill

Contact that guy on E bay selling phonographs from India for $ 1100.00 I am sure he will take it off your hands for a new phroto type. Tom B