Monola windup phonograph

[3rtt]

I've just come into possession of an antique Monola phonograph made by the Monmouth Plow Factory in Monmouth, Illinois. I'm guessing it is 1930s vintage, in fair condition. Has anyone ever heard of this phonograph and could you provide me information about its possible value? I have attached photos Thanks

[bbphonoguy]

Don't have any exact information, but I would think it's from the early 20's rather than from the 30's, and looking at the position of the soundbox, it seems that it may be able to swivel so that the machine can play both vertical and lateral cut records.

[3rtt]

Don't have any exact information, but I would think it's from the early 20's rather than from the 30's, and looking at the position of the soundbox, it seems that it may be able to swivel so that the machine can play both vertical and lateral cut records.

Yes quite possible, in fact more than likely, it is 20s rather than 30s vintage. With the advent of electronic sound and talking movies in the late 20s, manufacturers began making phonographs with amplified sound. I will check for the possibility of swivel soundbox tomorrow when I return to the storage unit. Thanks for your input.

[JohnM]

You may want to read this article:
http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

[solophoneman]

What is protruding from the base of the Tone Arm? Is that some sort of volume control swiveling baffle inside the neck? This is a really neat item. What other company was so diverse ? The made Plows and Phonographs.

[3rtt]

You may want to read this article:
http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

Thanks - very interesting and informative!

[3rtt]

What is protruding from the base of the Tone Arm? Is that some sort of volume control swiveling baffle inside the neck? This is a really neat item. What other company was so diverse ? The made Plows and Phonographs.

I'm not sure what the protrusion is, but will examine more closely tomorrow, and let you know.

[estott]

I think that protrusion might be part of an automatic stop. I've got a portable with a similar appearing knob, an adjustable arm hangs from mine which trips a stop mechanism.

Nice looking machine- it's possible that the plow company built some of the mechanism, or possibly made the case, but many of these were completely assembled by ordering the parts from one or more suppliers and having a furniture company build cases.

I'd say your machine is from the mid 1920's as it's walnut and that was becoming a popular finish. These off brand machines usually don't have much value but yours could be worth a couple hundred because it's rather pretty.

[3rtt]

What is protruding from the base of the Tone Arm? Is that some sort of volume control swiveling baffle inside the neck? This is a really neat item. What other company was so diverse ? The made Plows and Phonographs.

I made a closer inspection of the protrusion, and if you look closely, you may notice a thin metal strip extending upward toward the horizontal neck of the tone arm. There is also a post sticking up out of the deck underneath the tone arm. If you rotate the protrusion until the metal strip points down and swing the tone arm away from the record, the metal strip sits atop the post and holds the tone arm up, acting as a rest.