Universal Phonograph Co, Chicago

[CDBPDX]

I've got a cast iron Universal Phonograph coming in the mail. For some reason, I felt I just had to have it, even though I don't know anything about it. There doesn't seem to be a lot of info for this machine available online. Anyone know about this machine?

Here is a picture posted in a previous Forum topic of the same machine I have coming, though there was no discussion about it:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/downlo ... &mode=view

Thanks! Cliff

The pictures below are from the auction, the machine I bought...

[phonophan79]

I had the same "had to have it" motivation when I came across a similar machine... small (but obviously heavy) cast iron base. Never figured out where it came from, so I just called it "unknown phonograph"... although it did have a vertical reproducer.

[CDBPDX]

Seems there will be a delay in delivery of my phonograph. The folks at the Goodwill auction where I bought this thought it would be funny to send me a typewriter instead of a phonograph. Here is what I ended up with:

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Vi ... 77037.html

It sold for $41.00, considerably less than the phonograph I was hoping to get.

Cliff

[Henry]

Wow, that baby looks like two tons of fun, Cliff. Talk about sturdy! Can't make 'em stronger than that.

On that same auction site is listed a Remington 5 portable typewriter (http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewitem.as ... d=28896231), identical or very close to the one I remember growing up; it belonged to my mother, and I used to try to type on it (one finger hunt-and-peck). It even has the red-black lever on the right side of the keyboard. For those who aren't familiar, there used to be typewriter ribbons that were black ink on the bottom half (linearly speaking) and red on the top half; one shifted that lever to move the ribbon guide up or down to select which color ink you wanted to use.

[CDBPDX]

Good news! The Goodwill folks found my missing phonograph and will ship it to me!

Unfortunately for them, the shipping cost to send the typewriter back to them then ship again to the right buyer was too much. They want me to re-donate it to a local Goodwill instead. Apparently, the person who bought the typewriter lives in Hawaii.

Interesting experience. Looking forward to seeing the Universal!

Cliff

[CDBPDX]

It arrived today - Yay! The motor is a small single spring, but it winds up all the way and runs strong for about 4 minutes. The reproducer works pretty good, too. The tone arm has a chunk broken off it's base, I think I can fix that. Pretty nice machine, a bit grungy, but it should clean up very nicely.

I'm happy!

Cliff

[CDBPDX]

Took apart the reproducer for this machine. Inside, it was a Vanophone reproducer, not visible through the laminated diaphragm. Never heard of Vanophone, learn something new every day. Did they also make phonographs?

Cliff

[CDBPDX]

Finally got it all together and it works! See it play on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ZAuPixIo4ok

I cleaned up the cabinet and the plated parts, rebuilt the reproducer, cleaned, oiled and adjusted the motor, did some minor repair to the tone arm, and it works! Very happy! Cliff