Phrynis horn gramophone - which model and year?

[Starkton]

A Swiss collector pictured a Phrynis which is dated by a quality control sticker to September 2, 1920: http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http ... CGEQrQMwFA

Did you check your machine for a similar sticker?

[Starkton]

Starkton,
The photo you provided was very cool. I really like the picture of the Edison Standard with the back mount. Anymore details on this machine?
Harvey Kravitz

I only know that Max Stempfle of Berlin devised and patented a soundarm (with quadrangular cross-section to be combined with his "Triton" horn) for cylinder phonographs in July and August 1907. Shortly thereafter Stempfle presented the result at the Leipzig autumn fair at which occasion the picture was taken.

[Steve]

A Swiss collector pictured a Phrynis which is dated by a quality control sticker to September 2, 1920: http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http ... CGEQrQMwFA

Did you check your machine for a similar sticker?

Yes, I did. My machine has no identification marks, plaques, serial number or paper labels anywhere. I concluded, perhaps incorrectly, based on the information on that Swiss collector's website that my machine is a Model '11', even though my machine has the asymmetrical horn and his machine doesn't.

[Steve]

Steve, you have a very nice collection of unique machine's. Maybe now a hot-air is needed...???

Thank you and yes, that is a welcome idea, however there is already quite enough "hot air" in our household!

[FloridaClay]

For those of us who are not familiar with it and might be interested in getting a copy, who is "Marty" and what is the name of the book? Is it still in print?

Clay

[Steve]

For those of us who are not familiar with it and might be interested in getting a copy, who is "Marty" and what is the name of the book? Is it still in print?

Clay

Daniel Marty's "The Illustrated History Of Talking Machines". No it is not strictly speaking "available" as it has been out of print for years BUT it is not difficult to come by used copies or new "old stock" via internet sellers. I found a copy in an antiquarian bookshop for £3. My original copy cost me £60 over 22 years ago!

[FloridaClay]

For those of us who are not familiar with it and might be interested in getting a copy, who is "Marty" and what is the name of the book? Is it still in print?

Clay

Daniel Marty's "The Illustrated History Of Talking Machines". No it is not strictly speaking "available" as it has been out of print for years BUT it is not difficult to come by used copies or new "old stock" via internet sellers. I found a copy in an antiquarian bookshop for £3. My original copy cost me £60 over 22 years ago!

Thanks!

Clay

[FloridaClay]

The book seems to be available from several sources in the US and UK,running $50 to $70 or so on up with shipping. Would those of you who have it recommend it as a good addition to a collector's library?

Clay

[epigramophone]

The book seems to be available from several sources in the US and UK,running $50 to $70 or so on up with shipping. Would those of you who have it recommend it as a good addition to a collector's library?

Clay

Definitely a worthy addition to any collector's library, especially for it's European content. As Steve says, Victor/HMV, Edison and Columbia are relatively easy to research. The Marty book also covers these, but adds French, German and Swiss makes not dealt with elsewhere.

Remember that the book was published over 30 years ago, so whilst the photography is good it is not up to modern digital standards.

[Steve]

I generally agree with Roger (epigramophone) that it is a worthy addition to any collector's library and, if I'm honest, I probably refer to it more than any other book on the subject but then I am interested in Pathé and other European makes. So far there hasn't been another book on European makers even though we probably could do with one.

One cautionary note however: Roger has already said that the pictures are not always the best but my main criticism would be the lack of accuracy and general information within the text. The photographs of machines do also highlight some strange combinations of mismatched parts! This is no doubt due to the knowledge base not being quite what it is today when this book was produced. A G & T mahogany "New Melba" with an oak spear point horn is just one example.