Unusual Chautauqua Phonograph

[apruizii]

I recently found an "off brand" Chautauqua phonograph with an unusual cabinet design and motor configuration. The governor springs go thru the fly wheel, the weights are riveted to the governor springs, and one of them is broken I'll have to find similar set that works. I would appreciate any information about this machine or phonograph company.

Thanks,

AR

[phonogfp]

If memory serves, the Chautauqua was manufactured in Silver Creek, NY. I used to live in that part of the state, and thought it interesting that such a small town had spawned a phonograph company.

It's an interesting cabinet!

George P.

[pallophotophone]

Does it have anything to do with the Chautauqua Society ?

[apruizii]

George,

It's a small world. Yes, the decal says Silver Creek. NY.

Adolfo

[AmberolaAndy]

Now that’s a neat looking cabinet, like something you would see in one of George’s books.

[Inigo]

I was thinking about it because this style was familiar... Now I know: it is similar to the first Columbia Grand version of the upright Victrola...!
The governor springs going through the disc also reminded me of other motors, but don't remember which ones.

[Benjamin_L]

I like the cabinet design, it has a very British look for an American made machine.

The company was incorporated in Delaware early 1921 by C. B. Bishop, H. H. Ochletree and A. A. Bishop. I tried looking into their names for any connections, but nothing turned up. (They might have some local connection to a Silver Creek business?) They claimed to have around a million in capital, which seems like quite a bit for such a minor company. What I can't seem to figure out is that the company decal says Silver Creek (They even copyrighted it saying that.) but everything I'm finding has them listed from D.C. They listed all their advertising from D.C as their headquarters, the only surviving advertising is between 1921-1923. It looks like a model 350, though I can't find a specific model type, the original retail price was around $350. They dropped the price to $98 in mid 1922 maybe as a sells poly, but more likely the company was running into trouble with the pending phonograph recession. They closed their showroom in July 1923 with the company likely closing not too much later.

There's a company stock certificate listed on eBay:(https://www.ebay.com/itm/183965160026)

[JohnM]

When I was a kid and lived in Buffalo, we would stop at Pat’s in Silver Creek for hot dogs, curly fries, and ice cream on our way to Stockton, New York, where there was a huge complex of buildings called Stockton Sales. One building was cabinet model phonographs and treadle sewing machines, typewriters, pianos, and ice boxes — all the stuff that they couldn’t give away — take your choice of phonograph for $5. External horn machines were all on a shelf going around the main sales room — priced between $25-$65. More records than you can imagine along one of the sisters for a nickel apiece. It would take me hours to go through them!

[JohnM]

When I was a kid and lived in Buffalo, we would stop at Pat’s in Silver Creek for hot dogs, curly fries, and ice cream on our way to Stockton, New York, where there was a huge complex of buildings called Stockton Sales. One building was cabinet model phonographs and treadle sewing machines, typewriters, pianos, and ice boxes — all the stuff that they couldn’t give away — take your choice of phonograph for $5. External horn machines were all on a shelf going around the main sales room — priced between $25-$65. More records than you can imagine along one of the aisles for a nickel apiece. It would take me hours to go through them!

[AmberolaAndy]

When I was a kid and lived in Buffalo, we would stop at Pat’s in Silver Creek for hot dogs, curly fries, and ice cream on our way to Stockton, New York, where there was a huge complex of buildings called Stockton Sales. One building was cabinet model phonographs and treadle sewing machines, typewriters, pianos, and ice boxes — all the stuff that they couldn’t give away — take your choice of phonograph for $5. External horn machines were all on a shelf going around the main sales room — priced between $25-$65. More records than you can imagine along one of the sisters for a nickel apiece. It would take me hours to go through them!

As much as older generations didn’t have the information easily, they sure had it lucky getting so many amazing records for little cost.