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Make: DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON AG
Model: GIBSON-AUTOMAT No. 1
Serial #2291
Year(s) Made: 1907-?
Original Cost: M150 (about $35 = monthly income of a skilled industrial worker in Germany)
Case/Cabinet Size: 18IN D, 9IN H, 18IN W
Funnel:25IN L, 18IN M
Turntable/Mandrel: 10IN
Reproducer/Sound-Box: GIBSONARM
Motor: 1 SPRING
Reproduction Parts: KEY
Current Value: $?
Interesting Facts: The "Gibson-Automat No. 1" was the only automatic model in the Deutsche Grammophon AG catalogues of 1907 and 1908. It combines "Grammophon" and "Zonophon" parts and is varnished in dark green. While the "Gibsonarm" looks similar to an "Exhibition" soundbox, it is 40% lighter.

Favorite Characteristics: It was found in Austria and came to me from the place where it rested for 50+ years in untinkered condition. The mechanism is complete and works, and only needed a clean and replacement of a weak spring which I took from the identical motor of another Deutsche Grammophon model. I have yet to see a second specimen of this model, let alone in complete state.

Work in progress! The funnel is still uncleaned. The woodwork, possibly ash tree or birch(!), needs attention (closing of wormholes, luckily no worms left, application of dark green varnish). Nickel plating of some parts is foreseen.














For some nice photos I haven’t greased the gears yet. The last photo shows the coin slot.

Fascinating! The condition is amazing !

Fascinating! The condition is amazing !

That is an interesting and beautiful machine. I would not touch the finish, it looks great as it is.

Thanks for sharing.

Very unusual and eye-catching! I really like the coin drawer. I agree with Brad - - I'd keep the finish as is on something this rare.

George P.

I'm in on that too!!!.I would leave it just as it is.What a great mech.Well worth the wait to see.I'm surprized to see that reproducer.I have to think that is the correct one???.

gramophone78 wrote: I'm surprized to see that reproducer.I have to think that is the correct one???.

Yes, absolutely. This is the correct reproducer. The combination Gibson sound arm and "Gibsonarm" reproducer is known from Zonophones of the period. Since 1903, the European business of Zonophone was owned by the Gramophone Co. Hence, the open-handed exchange of parts.

Thank you for sharing your opinion concerning varnishing. I will keep this in mind and proceed very carefully to achieve a cohesive overall impression. If the results of preliminary tests are unsatisfactory I leave it as it is.

Below is an image from a trade paper. It displays the shop window of Deutsche Grammophon AG in July 1907 in Berlin, Ritterstraße showing the latest gramophone models. From left: Monarch I, Monarch III, De Luxe II and Gibson-Automat No. 1

Great photo.What do you think the 200000 means in the window???.

gramophone78 wrote:Great photo.What do you think the 200000 means in the window???.

This is the number of machines manufactured, or better assembled, by Deutsche Grammophon from November/December 1898 - July 1907.

Whereby the early monopoly years until 1903 when the German branch controlled the Russian sub-company were by far more profitable. On an average, from 1905 - 1910, the German branch (Deutsche Grammophon AG, controlling sub-companies in Austria, Scandinavia, and distributing through South-Eastern Europe) sold about 1,3 million records, but only around 9000 machines each year.

Very nice phonograph!