The Cowan Classique gramophone info needed

[dennislpr]

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting on this wonderful forum. I recently acquire a Cowan Classique gramophone and I would like to know a little bit more about this machine, also about the company as well. I was able to find out some information, this machine is supposed to be a model 21 from 1917 or 1918 and the company is from Chicago also I got a copy of an old ad from the company. That's about all I was able to find, but I would like to know more information and maybe someone on this forum has one also that can share some pictures.

The Cowan Classique Ad

[victorIIvictor]

This great article about "off-brand" machines gives a different company address than the one shown in your ad, to wit:

Classique Phonograph Corporation, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. (As shown in the November 1917 issue of Talking Machine World). See:

http://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talki ... j-wakeman/

That may suggest that the company was "ill-moored."

It's interesting that your ad's Model No. 12 apes the Victor console style as shown in this recent thread:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=18640

… at least as far as the lid in the center rising above the rest of the console's top. Wasn't this a particularly unpopular design (especially with women at the time). If so, I'm surprised that Classique tried their hand at it.

Anyway, your machine is very handsome indeed!

Best wishes, Mark

[dennislpr]

Thank you Mark for your reply. Here are some more pictures of my machine.

[Victrolacollector]

Welcome to the forum.....

Your Cowan is a nice machine, but it is one of the Independent brands of machines such as (Magnola , Mandel, Claxtanola, Bush and Lane and others...)
There more than 200 of these Independent Brands out there. It is nice that you have copy of the ad to go with the machine.

I own a Magnola Talking Machine, it is also an Independent Brand, some refer to as "off brand", since it is not a Victor, Edison or Columbia etc. I was lucky to find a color catalog and a record album for my Magnola. There is very little information on most of these brands. Most started up around 1918, after the patent fights subsided.

By 1923, most of the Independent manufacturers were out of business. I find it interesting to note that many of the Independent brands were based out of Chicago (just 30 miles Northwest of me). I have a hunch that most of these brands just used a business address and assembled the machines in small areas, as the suppliers of motors were usually Heineman, which supplied the majority of motors, tone arms, turntables and cranks. The cabinets were usually ordered from a cabinet making company. No doubt, these are some good machines. In all, I say that Heinemann was probably the "unofficial" largest maker of talking machines when you get down to the actual parts.

I will say that you most likely have at least a double spring Heineman "Motor of Quality" in your machine. (A slight possibility that the motor is a SAAL motor from Chicago), both are good motors. In my humble opinion, if serviced, they will last a long time. (Cleaning, Lubrication and Adjustment).

If you check around in articles and ads in the Talking Machine World, you may find some information on your brand of machine. That is what makes this hobby fun, you will find interesting connections and information by researching.

All the best,

Jerry

[dennislpr]

Thank you Jerry for the info. I was wondering if anyone here knows how mush a gramophone like mine will sell today, just out of curiosity.

[NashTwin8]

Nice machine! I think that's a very attractive cabinet. Enjoy!

Jerry K

[Victrolacollector]

As far as value on your machine, provided everything is working and good condition.... I would say a ball park estimate is $200-300.00.

Most of these Independent machines do not sell for as much as a Victor or Edison. I was floored when I found out my Magnola is worth roughly 200.00. It all depends what a buyer is willing to pay. It all depends on location, the economy and interest in machines at the time. There was a time when I would find Edison Disc machines sitting for $400.00. Today, there are some in the Chicagoland area running around $200-250.00

Again, I think you have a nice machine and the value of pleasure it can provide in owning and playing a piece of history, far exceeds any monetary value.

[jboger]

Nice looking machine. My comments are directed towards your cabinet and those in the ads. They belong, as did a lot of furniture at the time, to a style known as Colonial Revival. That started ca. 1876, that is at the time of the Centenniel, and lasted up into the 1930s. That period is called Colonial Revival because there was a resurgence in interest in Chippendale, William & Mary, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton furniture styles. Your cabinet would fall into a sort of William & Mary style. I see in the lower left of your ad something that looks like a Chippendale lowboy with a cabriole leg, and I see on the right hand side of the ad, a cabinet done in the manner of a Sheraton sideboard.

[dennislpr]

Thank you guys so much for all the comments and info.

[bob27556]

Very nice cabinet. I like the record storage at the left.