Bradly portable phonograph found

[edisonrestorer64]

I am trying to get any and all information on my Bradley Portable phonograph.
It was made in Brattleboro Vermont by C.E. Bradley
any help is appreciated Thanks
sincerely william

[zenith82]

You might want to contact the historical society in that area and see if they can dig up any information about the company. I've had success in doing that with a couple of machines I own made by the smaller independent companies. It's not a rule, but it seems like the historical societies in smaller towns and cities are more helpful than those in larger cities. The historical society in Pulaski, NY, even sent me a letterhead from the Charmaphone company, which operated there from about 1918 through the mid 1920s.

Also, look on google books and see if you can find any old city directories or any state annual reports containing information about the company.

Your portable phono looks to be 1920-25. This might be a helpful starting point for who you contact if they don't recognize the company right away. Since it was made in a smaller city, it may have been for a local or regional market only and did not advertise in publications like Talking Machine World.

Good luck! Tracking down information on the smaller independents isn't always easy!

[briankeith]

And I thought only Maple Syrup was made in Vermont

[estott]

I have one of those as well. From the very little I've gleaned off the web, Bradley was manufacturer of paint and of small wooden articles - here's a picture of the building: http://books.google.com/books?id=Zriya8 ... ro&f=false

These portables seem to have been the only style they made, despite being a "Model B" - at least I've never seen any different.

The company is still around as the C.E. Bradley Laboratories, they make specialized industrial paints. I've got a feeling they wouldn't have much in the way of historical archives.

My machine came without a reproducer, the record holding spindle in the lid just has a big wingnut on it. Overall the Bradley is one of the clunkiest portables I've encountered- most of the bulk is is the massive cloth covered pine case.

[Lucius1958]

Phonograph manufacture in Brattleboro?

I thought everybody there was busy building organs…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estey_Organ

Bill

[estott]

If you are located any place reasonably close to Albany NY you may have my Bradley as a gift - it isn't worth shipping. My motor needs new governor springs and weights but (in my opinion) it isn't worth repairing.

[edisonrestorer64]

If you are located any place reasonably close to Albany NY you may have my Bradley as a gift - it isn't worth shipping. My motor needs new governor springs and weights but (in my opinion) it isn't worth repairing.

Yes I am interested
Thank You sincerely will

[gramophone78]

And I thought only Maple Syrup was made in Vermont

Don't forget about Quebec also.... .