Did this ever exist... outside of this picture?

[Curt A]

This looks like one of the first multi-changer record contraptions... Or was it meant to play multiple records at the same time?

[Lucius1958]

Probably a one-off showpiece.

Columbia made a similar "Multiplex Disc Machine" for the St. Louis World's Fair: it played four records at once (The only surviving evidence is a photo in Baumbach & Lackey's book).

Bill

[epigramophone]

This could be a "Triplephone" developed by the German branch of the Gramophone Company in 1904/5. It had three turntables stacked vertically on a single axis, mounted on a Monarch case and driven by a triple-spring motor.

The British version had three turntables on a T-shaped case, effectively three Junior Monarch cases joined together. Both versions were available in the UK for £25, but they were not a sales success.

[Dave D]

I remember a few years ago on Ebay that similar machines were turning up regularly in the lair of rich old men in China. If I remember correctly, the prices weren't too bad either. The horns on those machines were a bit more ornate though.
Dave D

[Valecnik]

Yes, the existed and at least one example survives at a Museum in Finland.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... riplephone

[epigramophone]

Here is the patent drawing :

[donniej]

I believe these were the first DJ mixing boards

[Panatropia]

image.jpeg (22.16 KiB) Viewed 1402 times

[Curt A]

Thanks for all of the info... now to find one.

[alang]

I'm sure that someone in India would be happy to find one for you - totally authentic of course.

Andreas