Interesting Article from 1898

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Gramtastic
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Interesting Article from 1898

Post by Gramtastic »

This article comes from the London Argus of 26th February 1898. It is interesting to see that it was being marketed mainly as a means of recording and playing back. The references to playing music as a means of entertainment are almost an afterthought. How things changed !
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drh
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Re: Interesting Article from 1898

Post by drh »

Not to mention, when is the last time you saw the word "amanuensis" in a newspaper? (Or anywhere else, for that matter?) :lol:

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Lucius1958
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Re: Interesting Article from 1898

Post by Lucius1958 »

I suppose this was written to herald the introduction of the Edison Standard? The Home had been on the market for at least a year by then, and the Spring Motor earlier; but the reference to price, as well as the comparatively compact size, points to the Standard.

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fran604g
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Re: Interesting Article from 1898

Post by fran604g »

So in 1898, what was the value of 5.25 GBP in USD?
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HMVDevotee
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Re: Interesting Article from 1898

Post by HMVDevotee »

I found a reference from historical currency exchange rates that stated that the average conversion rate for £0.75 in the 1890s converted to $3.67 US dollars. (Odd that the reference was for three-quarters of a pound, but there it is.) So, if 5.25 BPS in 1895 is seven times .75, then $US 3.67 x 7 = $25.69 in the 1890's. As interesting, 5.25BPS in 1895 calculates in 2021 terms to $762.86.

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Re: Interesting Article from 1898

Post by Starkton »

In September 1898, Frederick Marion Prescott reported that the Edison Standard phonograph sold in England for 6 guineas, 10 shilling, or $33.75.

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