The Oraphone

Discussions on Talking Machines of British or European Manufacture
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poodling around
Victor V
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The Oraphone

Post by poodling around »

Has anyone ever heard of this make of gramophone I wonder ?

I think that the brand label says 'oraphone' ?

Perhaps made during the 1920's.
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jamiegramo
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by jamiegramo »

Where are you getting this scan? Is it a British or American looking machine? There was an Oraphone Company making talking machines in New Orleans. I’m assuming it doesn’t say Graphone.

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Curt A
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by Curt A »

As Jamie said, you have gotten this picture from somewhere...
Are there pictures of the cabinet or complete machine - or just the decal? Just the decal is not very helpful...
"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."
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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by poodling around »

Thanks very much Jamiegramo and Curt A.

Sorry, I should have included photo's of the actual gramophone. It is a bit inaccessible but I will dig it out later today and give it a photo-shoot ! It's a small, oak portable.

Maybe it does say 'Graphone' ? I think it may say the word 'The' just above on the left in small letters ?

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by poodling around »

Here we are then.

I think that the tone-arm may have been replaced as, for example, it is 'miles away' from the centre of the turntable when extended.

No original soundbox. In fact, it must be a non-standard tone-arm fitting as none of my other soundboxes (like HMV 4) fit it.

Oh, a very small 8 inch turntable. ..... and it smells very heavily of cigar or pipe smoke............

Oh, and there is a mysterious small square hole in the lid ................

Any information / comments would be greatly appreciated.
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Steve
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by Steve »

The hole in the lid is where the bolt for securing records in transit probably went. I've seen records held loose in the lid before with just a circular washer / locking nut to hold them tightly in place.

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by poodling around »

Steve wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:20 am The hole in the lid is where the bolt for securing records in transit probably went. I've seen records held loose in the lid before with just a circular washer / locking nut to hold them tightly in place.
Absolutely marvelous ! I would never have thought of that in a million years.

Thank you Steve !

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by poodling around »

I have just had another in depth, forensic look at the machine and finally managed to tug off the turntable.

It has a makers name of 'L & Co', the number '2' and 'British Made' - which is odd because I thought the only British made turntables were made by H.M.V. or Garrard and everything else was bought in from abroad / imported and just assembled in Britain ?

Does anyone know anything about this company I wonder ? I can't find anything on the internet.
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oliver
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by oliver »

Interesting, unusual machine. The oak cabinet looks very nice. I wonder if the Columbia-like needle cup is original to it..
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Curt A
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Re: The Oraphone

Post by Curt A »

I like it, whatever it is...
"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

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