Featured Phonograph № 12

phonocookie · Post by **phonocookie** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:13 pm

Make: International Wizard Phonograph Company
Model: Wizard
Serial # 1142
Year(s) Made: 1911 to ?
Original Cost: Don't Know
Case/Cabinet Size: Case is 17' wide, 7" hi in case, 12" hi out of case, 8" deep
Turntable/Mandrel: Mandrel is removable
Reproducer/Sound-Box: 2 min
Motor: Clock works type
Horn Dimensions: 18' wide and red in color
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: $4,000 ?
Interesting Facts: Must remove mandrel to put cylinder on to play. The top works and mandrel are put into case to move. Don't know if there was ever a 4 min reproducer made for this machine?

Valecnik · Post by **Valecnik** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:56 pm

Very nice, interesting machine Phonocookie. Thanks for posting. This is another one of those companies like US, Lakeside that was not around long and at least I do not know much about them. I understood this machine came out in 1911??? Seems strange that a new two minute machine would come out when four minute records were already available. Were there also wizard records? There is also an oak Wizard phono with a black horn. Otherwise it looks exactly the same. Was that also 2 minute, 2/4 minute or possibly just four minute? Hopefully someone can comment on some of these mysteries...

gramophoneshane · Post by **gramophoneshane** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:34 pm

Certainly an interesting and rare machine. The idea of removing the mandrel to fit a cylinder must have spelt disaster for the company from the start.
I had never heard of the company until a few weeks ago when JohnM indentified a machine in an advert I recently bought.
I wonder if the fellow who drew the picture put the horn connector on upside down

You'll have to click on the picture below to see the readable version.

Post by **MordEth** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:24 am

Shane,

Thanks for sharing the advertising page; I’ve transcribed the text of it via OCR software, and added the cutout below to the stock avatar gallery.

phonocookie: As I’d never seen a Wizard Phonograph before, I’m glad that you chose to feature this machine. Would you be willing to take a head-on shot of the decal? I’d like to try to cut it out at some point, if you don’t mind.

— MordEth

[hr][/hr]

A FREE Phonograph
for YOU!

(Drawn from Photo.)
“THE CHAMPION SENIOR”
PHONOGRAPH.
£6 10s.

Send in your application NOW, and we will send one to your address ABSOLUTELY FREE.

Owing to the enormously increased demand for our RECORDS, as the result of our last DISTRIBUTION of FREE PHONOGRAPHS, we have decided to give away a further ONE THOUSAND PHONOGRAPHS FREE.

You may choose the machine you prefer from our various styles, including our latest and best—

“THE CHAMPION SENIOR,”

exactly as illustrated, which is listed at £6 10s., and guaranteed for five years.

How can we afford to give away these expensive machines without charge ? The explanation is a simple one.

We hold and control enormous stocks of Phonograph Records. Recors are, of course, useless to anyone without a Phonograph. Picture yourself with plenty of ammunition, but no GUN. We propose to give you the GUN to make you feel the need of our ammunition—in other words, we give you a Phonograph to create an increased demand for our Records. Do you see our reason now ?

We will send you one of our

“Champion Senior” Phonographs
Free of any Charge Whatever,

if you will promise to give a practical demonstration of its wonderful merits in your own home circle and among your friends, using our new and popular Records and distributing our Circulars and Price Lists, which are sent free for this purpose with each machine.

[hr][/hr]
Write AT ONCE to

Anglo-Australian Importing Company,

Opposite G.P.O., Sydney, New South Wales.

CUT THIS OUT and mail to the ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN IMPORTING CO, SYDNEY
I hereby make application for a FREE Phonograph as advertised by your Company.

Name........... ......... ...................
Street...... ..........................................
Town...........................State.....................

phonophan79 · Post by **phonophan79** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:48 am

A new machine to me, looks nice! Thank you for sharing!

Post by **Aaron** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:17 pm

Very Nice Wizard Phonograph!! I have always thought they were interesting. How well do they play? Would you be able to make a youtube video for us? Again very nice!!

Aaron

phonocookie · Post by **phonocookie** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:26 pm

Aaron wrote:Very Nice Wizard Phonograph!! I have always thought they were interesting. How well do they play? Would you be able to make a youtube video for us? Again very nice!!

Aaron

I wood but I don't have any idea how to do it. Sorry.

phonocookie · Post by **phonocookie** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:33 pm

MordEth wrote:Shane,

Thanks for sharing the advertising page; I’ve transcribed the text of it via OCR software, and added the cutout below to the stock avatar gallery.

phonocookie: As I’d never seen a Wizard Phonograph before, I’m glad that you chose to feature this machine. Would you be willing to take a head-on shot of the decal? I’d like to try to cut it out at some point, if you don’t mind.

Shane I will take a picture of the decal when the ski clears and I can take one out side for better light.

Valecnik · Post by **Valecnik** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:51 am

phonocookie wrote:
Aaron wrote:Very Nice Wizard Phonograph!! I have always thought they were interesting. How well do they play? Would you be able to make a youtube video for us? Again very nice!!

Aaron
I wood but I don't have any idea how to do it. Sorry.

I'll see Phonocookie and his Wizard in June when I go back for the Union show. I also do not know how to post a video to Youtube but will try to film his Wizard in action and then try to upload it when I get back to Europe. So.... if you are willing to wait, hopefully you'll see it mid June. Cheers, bruce

Post by **MordEth** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:23 am

Valecnik wrote:I also do not know how to post a video to Youtube but will try to film his Wizard in action and then try to upload it when I get back to Europe.

Bruce,

As long as you don’t want to do any editing to it, you should be able to upload the video straight off the camera, unless your camera records an obscure proprietary format. YouTube recommends DivX/Xvid .avi files (with MP3 audio) or QuickTime .mov files, although I have uploaded .mp4 and .mkv files, as well.

If that’s gibberish to you, just try uploading whatever you pull off the camera; most likely it’ll work. If you want to edit the video or have any questions, please feel free to use the Board Tech YouTube video thread.

— MordEth