Featured Phonograph № 46
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:52 pm
Make: Star
Model: Unknown
Serial # None
Year(s) Made: 1909
Original Cost: Unknown
Cabinet Size: Mahogany; 14.5" x 14.5" x 7 ¾" tall
Turntable:10 ¾" diameter
Sound-Box: Star with interchangeable diaphragm
Motor: 2-spring
Horn Dimensions: Grain-painted metal; 28" long x 23" wide
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: Unknown
Interesting Facts: An uncatalogued model of Star Talking Machine manufactured by the Hawthorne & Sheble Manufacturing Company, 1907-1909. Probably one of the company's last products, and the only known example of this model.
Favorite Characteristics: The machine is substantial and heavily built. Bizarre motor with the mainsprings separated on each side of the governor, and the casting painted a light metallic blue. Does not display the typical star-shaped data plate on the front of the cabinet, but features a nickeled plate defiantly showing the H&S patents that Victor was assailing in court. This same plate is seen on the company's Starola (introduced December 1908). Hawthorne & Sheble went out of business in July 1909. This Star carries the features found on the line's best instruments, including a detachable tone arm, interchangeable diaphragms for tone modification, a combination sound box support and used needle receptacle, a "Tone Modifier" hidden within the tone arm, and a spring and gravity-driven "Yielding Pressure Feed." This device exerted inward pressure on the tone arm, and the company claimed the record groove was thus used as a restraining medium rather than propelling the needle: a clever but unsuccessful attempt to avoid Victor's formidable U.S. Patent No.534,543. The hidden "Tone Modifier" inside the tone arm was a tapered cone which, when slid into proper position, transformed it into a tapered tone arm; another mightily defended Victor patent. Despite these ingenious tricks and first-class workmanship, the Star Talking Machines did not sell well. This example bears no serial number, suggesting that Hawthorne & Sheble was aware of its impending doom, and was rapidly liquidating its inventory with no possible accounting of damages due to Victor. It was as though Hawthorne & Sheble were fighting it out at the Little Big Horn, while Victor sued them (sorry!)into oblivion, and this unique talking machine was one of the last shots fired.
See the sidebar below (from the December 2006 issue of The Sound Box) for more information on the Star tone arm.
The record cabinet is a Herzog Model 833, and is also the only known example of this model. It is contemporary to the 1909 Star, so I thought they would make a good combination.
Model: Unknown
Serial # None
Year(s) Made: 1909
Original Cost: Unknown
Cabinet Size: Mahogany; 14.5" x 14.5" x 7 ¾" tall
Turntable:10 ¾" diameter
Sound-Box: Star with interchangeable diaphragm
Motor: 2-spring
Horn Dimensions: Grain-painted metal; 28" long x 23" wide
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: Unknown
Interesting Facts: An uncatalogued model of Star Talking Machine manufactured by the Hawthorne & Sheble Manufacturing Company, 1907-1909. Probably one of the company's last products, and the only known example of this model.
Favorite Characteristics: The machine is substantial and heavily built. Bizarre motor with the mainsprings separated on each side of the governor, and the casting painted a light metallic blue. Does not display the typical star-shaped data plate on the front of the cabinet, but features a nickeled plate defiantly showing the H&S patents that Victor was assailing in court. This same plate is seen on the company's Starola (introduced December 1908). Hawthorne & Sheble went out of business in July 1909. This Star carries the features found on the line's best instruments, including a detachable tone arm, interchangeable diaphragms for tone modification, a combination sound box support and used needle receptacle, a "Tone Modifier" hidden within the tone arm, and a spring and gravity-driven "Yielding Pressure Feed." This device exerted inward pressure on the tone arm, and the company claimed the record groove was thus used as a restraining medium rather than propelling the needle: a clever but unsuccessful attempt to avoid Victor's formidable U.S. Patent No.534,543. The hidden "Tone Modifier" inside the tone arm was a tapered cone which, when slid into proper position, transformed it into a tapered tone arm; another mightily defended Victor patent. Despite these ingenious tricks and first-class workmanship, the Star Talking Machines did not sell well. This example bears no serial number, suggesting that Hawthorne & Sheble was aware of its impending doom, and was rapidly liquidating its inventory with no possible accounting of damages due to Victor. It was as though Hawthorne & Sheble were fighting it out at the Little Big Horn, while Victor sued them (sorry!)into oblivion, and this unique talking machine was one of the last shots fired.
See the sidebar below (from the December 2006 issue of The Sound Box) for more information on the Star tone arm.
The record cabinet is a Herzog Model 833, and is also the only known example of this model. It is contemporary to the 1909 Star, so I thought they would make a good combination.