I have often seen record covers advertising cycle shops and gramophone dealers. I have always assumed the link was purely mechanical but I have just bought this 1903-4 catalogue of side lines for cycle dealers which makes it clear that the selling of gramophones and phonographs was a winter activity when people weren't buying many bikes ! It all makes logical sense now but I hadn't realised that was the connection before !
In all my years of collecting (and collecting tins) I have never seen a "Phono Repair Outfit" in a tin - has anyone else ?
I thought you might like to see the models on offer to help while away the winter evenings until the warmer cycling season began again !! (You could also fit a household electric bell, expand your chest, take up indoor rollerskating shoot the local wildlife (presumably through an open window) or do fretwork !)
Side Lines for Cycle Dealers 1903-4
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- Victor III
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- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: Side Lines for Cycle Dealers 1903-4
The summer trade in gramophones only took off when portables became popular in the 1920's. They were extensively advertised for outdoor use.