Independent Talking Machince Company?

[tomharrison]

I just picked this talking machine up and cannot find anything online about it. Is anyone familiar with the Independent Talking Machine Co, Inc. A nameplate that was sitting loose inside says The Independent, Soul of Harmony, No. 74944. Independent Talking Machine Company, Inc., New York. The cabinet is in decent shape, but missing door knobs, and the lid prop is missing. The arm is also broken, but the turntable does spin when wound. Any information about this make/model would be appreciated. From what I read, it is one of the many companies the popped up after the original patents expired in 1917. I'm not looking to restore this old guy, but thought it looked cool as a piece of furniture in my dining area.

[schweg]

106. Independent -- Independent Talking Machine Company, Inc., 12 East 42nd Street, New York City, New York. November 1919

http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

here's a little information

Steve

[Amberola 1-A]

The tonearm & soundbox look like those supplied by the Otto Heineman General Phonograph Co. His company supplied these as well as the motors for many of the "off brand" machines that popped up in the late teens and twenties.
His motors were stamped with "The Motor of Quality" in the casting and are usually a pillar & plate design.

Bill

A typical Heineman motor

[estott]

This is a typical off brand machine from the 1917-1925 period, the maker probably bought all the fittings from catalogs and had a cabinet factory make the case. Not of any great value but the grille is pretty. Green felt on the turntable would add to the appearance and you probably could get it back in operating shape for a couple hundred maximum if the motor works well.

[william]

william I have an independent soul of harmony talking machine. It in in great shape, and works wonderfully. I am not sure of the value, and really do not care. Like yourself, I just enjoy having it around. Also, there were about 20 records that were included and a whole tin box of new needles. I was lucky enough to get it for a very good price, actually fifty dollars. I sometimes think of a family who sat around this thing, and it was their source of entertainment , just as our I-pods and flat screens are now.

[VintageTechnologies]

I sometimes think of a family who sat around this thing, and it was their source of entertainment , just as our I-pods and flat screens are now.

I wonder how those people would have felt, knowing their pride and joy would still be displayed prominently in someone's living room a century later? There is no reason to think they won't last another 100 years. I don't expect my new LED flat screen TV will survive so long....the last one lasted only three years and is probably buried in a landfill.

[dutchman]

Wow talk about service - well now we know there is a spare motor floating around in my shed.

[Player-Tone]

Nice phonograph! Those Heineman motors and reproducers perform nice.

-I would also reccommend adding felt to the table to keep records from getting scratched.