The Sound Box. Issue of December 2010

[Starkton]

I have just received my copy of the December 2010 issue of The Sound Box, the Journal of the California Antique Phonograph Society, expertly edited by Rene Rondeau, and provide a short summary for all who are still undecided to subscribe.

As a start George F. Paul nicely sums up all what is known about the Type AO Graphophone, an extremely attractive and rather scarce machine. To the author's mind, it represents the best of the late 1890s and the early 1900's, both in design and mechanical features - with the exception of the pot metal carriages. The article is accompanied with very good photos of George's own machine.

Then comes a thorough study by Allen Koenigsberg of "The Strange Origins of the Double-Sided Disc Record." Few experts had known the letters circulating between Frederick Marion Prescott, managing director of the International Zonophone Company, and Fred Figner, owner of a large Brazilian music trading company. Furthermore, Koenigsberg discusses the life story of both Fred Figner and Ademor Napoleon Petit, an important inventor (but not the only one) of the "Double-Faced Sound Record".

Patrick Feaster wins the prize of originality with "The Recording Telephone of James Davis". Did Davis anticipate the phonograph in 1867? Did Edison encounter the idea of recording telephone messages in 1877 from him? Patrick's article is a true revelation and I am sure he is already on the trail of another undiscovered treasure.

Stollwerck's chocolate records and inventive phonographs to reproduce it still fascinate many collectors. Larry Karp is no exception and he cites from a number of sources on the topic published since 1980. His article is illustrated with convincing pictures of both the tin and the wooden phonograph model. The discovery of a small 2-11/16" inch record made of a (probably) hard rubber-wax laminate, ascribed to Stollwerck, is most surprising.

Robert Baumbach was privileged to examine and describe the very first Victor Electrola (VE-XVI), serial-number 501, shipped just in time for the Christmas season of 1913. No doubt his article is one of the highlights of this issue.

Last but not least Carsten Fischer pictures and describes a breathtaking phonograph: The "HMV Model 1 Automatic", introduced to the British market in 1928 and - not surprising at all - the largest and most expensive acoustic gramophone ever offered by the Gramophone Company. Carsten meticulously describes its function, accompanied with drawings and photos, and unfolds the story of the first record changers, including Victor models. Concluding, he refers to his website where you can get even more information and a video showing the HMV 1A "in full swing".

[phonogfp]

Thanks for providing this, Stephan. That has been on my "To Do" list for a couple of weeks, but other, more pressing (and more fun!) things have interfered. It's nice to read someone else's descriptions and impressions of The Sound Box - - I think you should keep this up!

I should mention that folks can subscribe online using Paypal at www.ca-phono.org.

Best to all,
George P.

[barnettrp21122]

Very good articles throughout! I couldn't find the HMV Model 1A changer video when going to the mentioned website. Maybe I overlooked it. Here's a youtube link to another machine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsF64uka ... re=related
Bob