Ebonoid cylinder record

[gramophoneshane]

I bought this empty cylinder box on ebay, and was wondering if anyone knows any history on the company?
I've never seen or heard of "Ebonoid" before.

[gramophoneshane]

My "Ebonoid" box arrived today, so I thought Id post some px.
They were made by "The Premier Manufacturing Co Ltd", who also made "Clarion" cylinders in the UK.
The Ebonoid was cut at 200tpi, and by increasing the length of the cylinder, they were capable of playing for 5 minutes.
Im not sure what the cylinders were made of, but Im guessing they were black celluloid.

[Energ15]

I couldn't really find any information on the company except for making 5 minute records and 10 inch discs. Although, I found another one of these Ebonoid record boxes for sale on ebay. It is definitely an unheard of company.

-Energ15

[OrthoFan]

Hi Shane:

Not much on the web, but I did spot this:

"CLARION

Clarion was the last of the British phonograph companies, incorporated in July 1907 as the “Premier Manufacturing Co.Ltd", just as public taste was veering towards the disc. It had the benefit of Charles Richard Johnstone, a veteran recording engineer from the old Edison United Phonograph Co. of the early 1890s, and produced well made and recorded records in its early years. Contemporary opinion considered the wax to be exceptionally smooth and the band records to be of outstanding quality. Clarion also produced a 5 minute (200 tpi) cylinder known as the “Ebonoid” in April 1909 with 20 titles and attachments to convert Edison Gem and Standard phonographs to play them. The company folded in 1910 in the general difficulties assailing the cylinder trade at the time and re-emerged as the Clarion Record Co. Ltd. It had a nominal capital of just £100 and from this time onwards it led a hand to mouth existence, issuing records from time to time until November 1922. "

From: http://www.clpgs.org.uk/Sound_lib_cylinder_page.htm

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According to a reference in the Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound, the 5-minute cyclinders were wax:

EORS.JPG (23.85 KiB) Viewed 2223 times

FROM: http://books.google.com/books?id=xV6tgh ... te&f=false

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Also, one of the gear attachments mentioned above, did turn up. Unfortunately, there is no photo of the attachment, but at least the patent number is mentioned:

" Lot Description

An Edison Gem phonograph, Model C No.303891C, with patent combination gear attachment, Walshaw-type turnover stylus in C reproducer and black 18-inch octagonal horn with crane - circa 1908 (reproducer lacks hinge and limit pins)
Lot Notes

Patent No.2196/09, of January 29,1909, was granted to the Premier Manufacturing Co. (makers of Clarion cylinders) and F.W.Pleasance. The device is mounted on a steel plate pivoted on the existing feedscrew bearing, and introduces an addition pair of wheels between the mandrels and intermediate wheels when lowered for the '4-minute' position.
The Walshaw stylus (the subject of Patent No.2332 of February 1 1909 - not granted because the sealing fee was not paid) has two styli mounted in a revolving head on an otherwise conventional stylus bar, enabling any existing Edison reproducer to be used with little modification. Walshaw subsequently produced the ingenious 'Variol' attachment to provide 4-minute feed on Gems. The closeness of the Premier gear and Walshaw stylus patents (they are consecutive numbers in the Phonograph Class list) suggests a degree of collaboration at this early stage.
The present example was sold by Reading & Munton of Walworth Road, battersea Park Road and Camberwell Green, address within easy reach of the Premier Manufacturing Co. at Walworth."

FROM: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_ ... ID=3473120

HTH,
OF

[Zeppy]

I couldn't really find any information on the company except for making 5 minute records and 10 inch discs. Although, I found another one of these Ebonoid record boxes for sale on ebay. It is definitely an unheard of company.

-Energ15

I saw that one on ebay. Just shy of $200 with 3 days to go...so do I dare ask how much Shane paid for his?

[gramophoneshane]

Thanks for the information OF. So they were wax. I guess that would explain the higher survival rate of the boxes. I've always though Edison was the only one who recorded on wax at 200tpi, so I've learned something new once again

Zeppy, I paid AU$40 for mine, but it's not what I'd call in good condition. When you remove the lid, the lip of the box has a piece chewed out about the size of a dime, and the lid itself has had sticky tape put around it
Im now debating whether I should attempt to remove it with a hair drier, or leave it as is.

[Zeppy]

Zeppy, I paid AU$40 for mine, but it's not what I'd call in good condition. When you remove the lid, the lip of the box has a piece chewed out about the size of a dime, and the lid itself has had sticky tape put around it

Hmmmm....so around us$35, compared to $200 (so far).

I think you did pretty well....even with a little chewed up bit and some sticky tape.

nice find!