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Hello,

I was gifted a Sonora Phonograph and I would like to find out its model and value. I wasn't provided much information about the unit other than it was bought about 10 years ago in British Columbia, Canada. The cabinet is in good condition and it still plays music. There is a patent notice on the bottom which is dated April 1st 1922.

I was wondering if anyone could help me?
I apologize about the file orientation. I seem to be unable to right them in the post.

I greatly appreciate your help.

Thank you,
Sabrina

That looks to be the Queen Anne Standard "Queensboro" period model from circa 1922 --
"In January, 1920, the Sonora period models were presented: Adam, Adam De Luxe,
Chippendale, Colonial, Duncan Phyfe, Gothic, Italian Renaissance, Italian Renaissance
De Luxe, Jacobean, Louis XV, Louis XV De Luxe, Louis XVI, Louis XVI De Luxe, Queen
Anne, Sheraton, and William and Mary.(81) In March, the new Sonora period model price
list appeared. For the moderate-price period models, all would retail at $325: these
included the Adam, Italian Renaissance, Louis XV, Louis XVI, and Queen Anne models.
Other period models were priced as follows: Colonial, $425; Sheraton, $525; Louis XVI de
Luxe, $575; William and Mary, $575; Duncan Phyfe, $725; Adam De Luxe, $775;
Chippendale, $775; and Louis XV De Luxe, $1,250.


Queen Anne Standard (Queensboro) -- $350 in 1920, $275 in 1923, $250 in 1924"

FROM SONORA PHONOGRAPHS BY R.J. Wakeman

Don't know what it would sell for today.

OrthoFan

Thank you very much for you quick and frankly amazing answer OrthoFan!

Welcome to the forum! Your Sonora is a real beauty. I own an upright model, but I hope to find one like yours. This forum is a great resource. Here is the result of a quick search I did about your model from 2011.
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=6857

I think the model name would be Queen Anne. Standard means it doesn't have extra features like an electric motor or a special finish. "Queensboro" would be the code which dealers used to order.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on a nice machine! I notice in the photos that the reproducer, or soundbox to us Brits, is set in the wrong orientation for lateral-cut 78s (i.e. the vast majority) - at the moment it's set for vertical cut records (i.e. Pathés and a few others, plus, if you had a special stylus instead of a needle, Edison Diamond Discs). You should be able to flip it round so that it's roughly parallel to the edge of the record for normal 78s. Used in the wrong position it will sound terrible and ruin records. Don't force it however - the joints may need a little help to ease up. Ask for advice here if it seems stuck.

Thank you everyone. You've been most helpful.

Every time I open the lid I'm surprised by the beauty of it. The phonograph currently is in what will be a nursery, so we no longer have room for it. It is in great condition. I will happily consider offers on the unit and can provide more pictures upon request.

If you are not in the market for a phonograph but happen to know a shop in western Canada that may want it, I would be grateful for the referral.

Whatever happened to the Sonora?