Featured Phonograph No. 124 - Berliner with Cornet Horn

[StL Bill]

MAKE- Berliner
MODEL- Berliner "Improved" Gramophone
SERIAL NO.- 23276
YEAR MADE-1897-1900
ORIGINAL COST- Unknown to me

CASE SIZE- 9 ⅞" x 9 ⅞"
REPRODUCER- Johnson "J" Soundbox
MOTOR- Redesigned motor by Eldridge Johnson
HORN DIMENSIONS-This Brass Cornet horn was made by A.Leforesier,Son & Company (a musical instrument manufacturer in New York city). It was advertised in the Phonoscope publication in August, 1899 at a cost of $10.00. It measures
9 ½" at the bell and 22" long.
REPRODUCTION PARTS- Only the wire horn cradle
CURRENT VALUE- Similar Berliner/Cornet horn recently sold for $17,500 at Donley auction
INTERESTING FACTS- As you might have seen in a previous post, I was fortunate enough to recently acquire this phonograph on ebay. It was missing the reproducer, crank, and tone arm. The original tone arm (with the celluloid tag) showed up at the original location a week later and I was able to buy it. It was also in good condition,but the wire horn cradle had been broken off.This is the only reproduction piece on the machine.The case with the original finish was very dirty but cleaned up very well. I was able to buy the an original crank and reproducer from two kind members of this Forum. (Many thanks to Phono-Phan and Shawn). The brass horn has had the dents removed, polished and lacquered. The Berliner record cabinet was missing the front door. A new one was made by my woodworker using old quarter-sawn oak from a old Victrola cabinet.The finish was then matched to the rest of the original finish on the cabinet.The records that came with the case consist of Berliners,Zonophones, Consolidated, Improved Victor and early Victors.Thanks to all that have helped in this project. Bill

[StL Bill]

More pics

[gemering]

Bill,

Thank you for sharing the details on this fascinating machine.
You are blessed with an incredible collection of phonographs and related items.

Gene

[fran604g]

Your Berliner is wonderful, thank you for sharing it with us, Bill!

Fran

[phonogfp]

Gosh, Bill, that Berliner turned out beautiful - and the horn is spectacular.

No one would ever know the door of the record box had been replaced. A very nice job!

Congratulations - -

George P.

[Phono-Phan]

Bill,
I am glad that I was able to help you out with the reproducer for this machine. Awesome job cleaning it up!!! The horn looks great and your woodworker did a fantastic job on the record case. Good things do happen to good people. Congrats!!!!
Ken Brekke

[Andersun]

Bill,
What a nice machine! Wish I could see it in person, so bring it thru the next time your down here in Florida! Im surprised the horn doesn't tip the machine over.

Looking forward to Union.....
Steve

[TinfoilPhono]

Absolutely amazing! What a great find.

[Jerry B.]

Bill, That's about as interesting a talking machine as any of us will ever see. It's amazing! I showed it to DeeDee, a retired band teacher, and she insists I find one! Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Jerry Blais

[phonohound]

What a great machine setup and transformation. This is a prize in anyone's collection. Congratulations on such a fantastic restoration.

Scott