Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Polyphone · Post by **Polyphone** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 4:42 pm

Hey TMF folks,

Just when you think you have seen it all, an antique canoe shows up with a cobbled up Victrola mounted in the center The rear paddler could spin records on the lake while cruising along. This guy who has this also has some old 1920's B&W photographs of the phonograph-canoe on the water.

It must have been so much fun to be out some remote Michigan lake cranking out a few 78's in the day.

Best,

Ken Flaherty

Polyphone · Post by **Polyphone** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 4:49 pm

A friend of mine tripped upon this today.....will get some better pics when I can......Ken

Victor A · Post by **Victor A** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 4:59 pm

This may prove appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQFRkTq3Rk8

Polyphone · Post by **Polyphone** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:20 pm

Some better pics of the canoe-o-phone

Pathe Logical · Post by **Pathe Logical** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:59 pm

Thanks for posting the pics Ken!

This reminds me of the many vintage postcards from Bell Isle (Detroit, MI area) picturing numerous canoes with phonographs in them. I've often wondered how many phonos are sitting at the bottom of the waters there. I have over 25 different postcards picturing phonographs in canoes at Belle Isle. Spotting the phonographs in the canoes can be like playing "Where's Waldo"!!! Some examples:

Bob

travisgreyfox · Post by **travisgreyfox** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 1:31 pm

In the first pic. the guy on the bottom right is talking on his cell phone. Maybe Bluetooth ear attachment?

Polyphone · Post by **Polyphone** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 3:01 pm

Bob, Thanks for sharing that wonderful photograph! It's an amazing shot.

Best, Ken

Post by **JerryVan** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:24 pm

Every time I drive around Belle Isle, I wonder how many phonographs are resting on the bottom of the lagoon. Not much of them left by now, but there had to be dozens, at least, that went overboard.

BTW, the Casino is still there and looks pretty much identical to the postcard image. "Casino" does mot imply gambling. Its use and definition was a little different in that era.

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:25 pm

Ken,

Where was this canoe found and do you have any history on it? It looks like one of the same types that are shown in the Belle Isle photo, which I have seen previously. There are other similar photos and I always wondered how you keep a wood horn Victor playing in a rocking canoe, let alone keep it from falling out...

Post by **JerryVan** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:27 pm

Ken,

I see the owner is, or was, into antique cars as well.

Is the canoe a Peterborough?

Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe

Re: Phono-Canoe, yep, it's a phono-canoe