Phonographs of the Rich and Famous

[alang]

President William Howard Taft had an Edison Idealia phonograph(Presented) / given to him by Thomas A. Edison himself. Today, The phonograph is in Excellent shape and it's a 9 out of 10 I'd say and it exists and is displayed at the Lightner Museum in the Music Room in St. Augustine Florida. The Idelia has a personalized Brass plaque on it that says: "To: William H. Taft with the best wishes of Thomas A. Edison". How the Lightner Museum in the in St. Augustine Florida got a hold of the phonograph still remains a mystery. It most likely should be in the Smithsonian, or one of the Edison Museums by this point. The cover for the Idelia is not present on the display, and it wears an incorrect reproduction of an earlier 14" horn.

I can provide pics of it on request...!

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Tony K.

I had already listed that on page one of this thread.
In my post is also a link to a previous thread with pictures of that machine.
Andreas

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Here's a pic of Sergei Rachmaninoff, and his secretary Sophie Satin , sitting at the desk in his study. Behind them you can see the top of an Orthophonic Victrola 8-35: the flagship model that replaced the Credenza in 1928. As one of Victor's first rank stars, I suspect they supplied him with the current top of the line instrument every few years or so.
And I should add a correction....Sophie Satin wasn't really his secretary, although she helped him out in that regard. She was his sister-in-law and a noted microbiologist. Although it was she that was deputed to smash the test pressings of takes that Rachmaninoff rejected for issue. Too bad she was completely loyal in that regard.

Jim

[NEFaurora]

Sorry Andreas, I did not see that link to the earlier W. H. Taft Idelia Thread. I have better pictures if anyone wants me to post them..

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Tony K.

[marcapra]

As a former owner of an 8-35, I can affirm that is indeed an 8-35 behind Rachmaninoff. Great machine and very interesting photo. Rachmaninoff lived in the U.S. during the last years of his life and died in Beverly Hills, California in 1943. Thank you!

[Player-Tone]

Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis with a Victrola during production of 'Get Out And Get Under' -1920.

Too bad we can't make out the serial number on that ID plate, for all we know this phonograph might be in one of our collections right now!