Can anyone please shed any light on this most unusual design sound - box ? Obviously intended for a travelling - arm machine as there is a locking - pin protruding from the back plate as well as the long size outlet tube. Behind the mica diaphragm , engraved into the back plate is the wording G. Hermann S Crayophon D.R.P. & Ausl Pat. The letter S after the name Hermann could refer to Sohn or Sohne ? ( son or sons )
and presumably the patent refers to the design by which the needle is held in place. Beautifully engineered , there are two small operating levers as seen , the right hand one opens or closes a third " arm " to grip a needle , I am not sure what the left hand lever is intended to do as it is somewhat stiff and I don't to use force which may result in damage . The general construction seems to be of nickel - plated brass. Most unusual , I can't recall having seen anything like it before and wondered if any of our European friends may know a little more . Regards Dulcetto
Unusual Hermann " Crayophon " Sound-box
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Unusual Hermann " Crayophon " Sound-box
Last edited by Dulcetto on Wed Jul 08, 2020 4:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- epigramophone
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
I think this soundbox may be Australian rather than Austrian, as an internet search for "Cravophon" found a couple of references to the Melbourne Argus of 2nd November 1910.
Unfortunately I was unable to decipher the old newspaper images, but there are gramophone societies in Australia who may be able to help identify the soundbox.
Unfortunately I was unable to decipher the old newspaper images, but there are gramophone societies in Australia who may be able to help identify the soundbox.
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
Two questions, detailed on the image...
"The phonograph is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
Looks like "Crayophon" to me.
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
I believe D.R.P. stands for Deutsches Reichs Patent (German Reich Patent) and the words after it are actually Ausl. Pat. for Ausland Patent (Foreign Patent). Hope that helps.
Andreas
Andreas
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
Detrbear wrote:Looks like "Crayophon" to me.
Thanks for spotting my typo ! Yes , I meant to type " Crayophon " . Thanks for alerting me -- I have corrected the spelling in mu original post. Regards Dulcetto
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
Thanks Andreas, I was already aware that the abbreviations referred to a German patent and I guessed I assumed that others would also know what it means , but thanks for pointing that out , for the benefit of some forum members who may not be familiar with the terms. Basically translated to English it would mean " German and foreign patents " Regards Dulcettoalang wrote:I believe D.R.P. stands for Deutsches Reichs Patent (German Reich Patent) and the words after it are actually Ausl. Pat. for Ausland Patent (Foreign Patent). Hope that helps.
Andreas
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
Thanks for your message Curt -- If you read through my original post , you will see that I have already answered your questions. The small arm ( which I have referred to as an ' operating lever ' ) opens and closes the grip on a needle , the other smaller arm is somewhat stiff and not knowing quite which direction I should push or pull it , I thought best left well alone until I can understand what it is intended to do or operate , lest I cause any damage !! . Regards DulcettoCurt A wrote:Two questions, detailed on the image...
Last edited by Dulcetto on Wed Jul 08, 2020 4:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Unusual Hermann " Cravophon " Sound-box
Thanks Roger for your thoughts. Certainly the design could well have been patented in Australia , as well as other countries , but certainly the sound - box is of Germanic origins -- hence the legend DRP & Ausl. Pat. As Andreas has pointed out , " Ausl. " is an abbrevation of the German word " Ausland " which translates to " foreign countries " , so neither Australia nor Austria ! With hindsight , perhaps I should have pointed out in my original post the meaning of the abbreviations -- but as I read and speak German, I kinda didn't think to ! I also omitted to mention that the overall size is similar to that of an " Exhibition " sound - box. Regards Dulcettoepigramophone wrote:I think this soundbox may be Australian rather than Austrian, as an internet search for "Cravophon" found a couple of references to the Melbourne Argus of 2nd November 1910.
Unfortunately I was unable to decipher the old newspaper images, but there are gramophone societies in Australia who may be able to help identify the soundbox.