Wanted: Army Navy phonograph

[cheryla]

We are seeking an Army phonograph from WW1.

[phonogfp]

Do you mean the Edison Army/Navy Phonograph or one of the Decca "trench portables?"

George P.

[cheryla]

The Edison is our first choice because it was used by the US. My research shows the British used the Decca.

[phonogfp]

The Edison is our first choice because it was used by the US. My research shows the British used the Decca.

That's correct. The Brits/Aussies/Kiwis were partial to the Decca and its imitators. Period documentation shows U.S. troops using VV-VIs and VV-IXs extensively. Pictures of troops with Edison Army/Navy machines are scarce.

Despite that, I'm a fan of the Edison Army/Navy myself.

Good luck!

George P.

[cheryla]

Beautiful! That’s what we want! Know of one available?

[estott]

American troops tended to have records sent over & to find machines overseas. I've seen a postcard of a Victor VV-VI in a YMCA hut, and a US soldier sitting with a Pathé disc machine- possibly "borrowed" from some home.

Vernon Castle wrote to his wife Irene to send him the latest dance tunes, and cautioned her to pack them more carefully as the ones she'd previously sent arrived broken.

[Valecnik]

Do you mean the Edison Army/Navy Phonograph or one of the Decca "trench portables?"

George P.

Sort of like asking, "Do you mean the railroad siege gun or the pop gun?"

[phonogal]

I think that Edison Army Navy machine is going to be a pretty hard one to find and not inexpensive. Good luck in your search.

[msarnold1990]

I know Bruce Young has one. Not sure he's looking to sell it, but he did show it to me, it's in decent shape.

[phonogfp]

Beautiful! That’s what we want! Know of one available?

I don't at the moment, but they do surface occasionally. As others have mentioned, they don't typically go for bargain prices. I've seen them over the past 5 years at around $1000. Keep your ear to the ground and hopefully you won't have long to wait.

Again - good luck!

George P.