Tinfoils 'R Us

[TinfoilPhono]

Given how rarely it happens, acquiring an original tinfoil phonograph is always a huge thrill. Here's my latest happy discovery -- a very large (2 feet wide) and very finely-finished exhibition machine made ca. 1878-1885 by Leppin & Masche in Berlin.

Leppin & Masche was a manufacturer of fine technical and scientific instruments, and this beauty is typical of high-end devices of the 19th century, with gold-lacquered brass and blued steel screws. The speaker is assembled from two different pieces of wood, mahogany for the inside and rim, and ebony for the exterior. All of the adjusting screws have knurled lock nuts.

The speaker assembly is particularly interesting, with the hinge for the speaker mounted on top of a brass pole rather than at the base as is typical. With no place in front of the speaker to put a support bracket for the reproducer / recorder head and its adjusting screw, Leppin & Masche took the unusual approach of mounting a casting behind the mandrel which engages the corresponding depth adjusting screw at the very top of the speaker. An elegant and decorative solution. The diaphragm is huge, 3.5" in diameter. The mandrel is 5.5" long and 4.25" in diameter. A big machine, definitely not a parlor toy.

It's entirely original, including the perfectly intact stylus and its unusual A-shaped mounting spring seen in the original catalog.

So far I have only been able to find 3 others, two of which are mis-attributed to A. Küss in books published in the 1970s. Thanks to forum member Starkton I now have documentation in the form of an original catalog of Leppin & Masche with engravings that clearly show this same machine, but without a flywheel.

The catalog offered 3 different mandrel sizes: 7cm (2.75"), 14cm (5.5"), and 20cm (7-⅞"), at 65, 100, or 150 Marks respectively. The catalog description reads "Edison's Phonograph, on a mahogany base with brass mandrel and a speaker with mica diaphragm, with fine adjusting screw, with a funnel to speak into and instructions for use."

It was filthy when I got it, with 100+ years of dirt. But it cleaned up beautifully and after a few minutes of tweaking the adjustments I got it to talk on the first try. It would work even better if I replaced the gaskets but this is so thoroughly original that I am going to leave it alone. I have replica tinfoils for demonstrations, there's no reason to risk damage to such an exquisite machine as this. I'm satisfied that I know it is perfectly capable of working as it did 130 years ago.

[ambrola]

That is a thing of beauty Rene. And it's rarity makes it even more pretty. Great score.

[FloridaClay]

Stunning.


Clay

[fran604g]

Incredible, René, a true work of art.

Is the speaker diaphragm glass?

Fran

[mcgravy]

That's amazing Rene'! You seem to attract these machines like honey attracts bees. Great score.

[Jerry B.]

What a terrific acquisition. All I can say is wowsers!

Congratulations, Jerry Blais

[Mlund2020]

That is awesome!!

[TinfoilPhono]

Thanks for the comments. I'm pretty jazzed about this one. It's even more impressive than I expected, now that all the decades of grime are gone.

I've been obsessed over tinfoil phonographs ever since I was a kid but I never expected to own an original, let alone specialize in collecting them. When I was lucky enough to buy my first original tinfoil about 20-25 years ago (an 1880 Fondain) I was in heaven. Reproductions are great -- I have 7 replicas myself -- but handling and using an authentic 130+ year-old phonograph is an amazing experience.

But I never even considered the possibility of actually collecting original tinfoils. I figured the one would have to satisfy my lust. The next year another one turned up, a small French 'Parlor' tinfoil at an attractive price. I was very sorely tempted but I stopped and asked myself why I should have 2 tinfoils if there's no hope of seriously collecting more? I let it pass but later I kicked myself mercilessly. So when another tinfoil came on the market, a Vital, I wasted no time in buying it.

Along the way I had been traveling around the country to research tinfoil phonographs in other collections, as well as museums (notably the Edison Historic Park, Smithsonian, Ford Museum, and Edison-Ford Winter Estates). That led to my writing the first (and only) book ever published solely about tinfoils.

A funny thing happens once you become known as a specialist: people start knocking on your door, so to speak. It didn't take long until someone looking to sell a tinfoil contacted me about it. Then another. And another. Like bees to honey, as mcgravy posted! Next thing I knew I was doing what I thought impossible: seriously collecting tinfoils as my main focus in the hobby. Yikes!

Even I find it hard to believe that my collection of originals has reached 11 machines, ranging in size from the tiny Vital (with a base only about 4" square) all the way to the behemoth Kohl (almost 4 feet wide, and 75 pounds).

It's even more mind-boggling that my tinfoil collection is now the second largest in the world. Not the finest, however. I can think of at least two collections that have fewer machines but far more historically important ones. And the largest collection known has some unbelievable rarities that I can only dream about. But no complaints, I know I'm lucky, and definitely happy with my decision to concentrate on what I love most.

[phonogfp]

That's just beautiful, Rene! Congratulations!

I find it amazing that this machine came to you with a century of dirt on it. To think that a machine like that has been sitting somewhere unappreciated - perhaps unidentified - is a collector's dream. It's tempting to think that all existing machines of this caliber have been found, but I guess not.

Again, congratulations on a significant addition to your collection.

George P.

[TinfoilPhono]

The 'tin can' Berliner currently being discussed, as well as the 'tuba horn' Berliner, are already pretty clear indicators that not all the treasures have been found. Twenty years ago I was convinced that all of the attics and basements in the world had been picked through, and that all the great finds were over. I can't believe how wrong I was, and how many killer machines turn up year after year. Something to give us all hope!