Found Inside 1920's Japanese Table Top Gramophone.

[poodling around]

The paper 'container' was folded up tightly and left underneath the motor - for no apparent functional reason I could ascertain.

I believe that it is actually Chinese writing (maybe ?) which makes it all the more puzzling to me as this is a Japanese table top gramophone. (I think).

Can anyone please translate the writing into English and / or identify what this item actually is ?

The first photograph (as far as I can remember - so I may be wrong) was stuck on the inside base of the same gramophone and I would appreciate a translation as well please.

Thank you very much for any help you can give.

[chuckmoy]

This a communist-propaganda leaflet. Appears to be folded and made into some sort of bag? Maybe for holding small objects. These were printed in the hundreds of millions and airdropped across China during the civil war. There are promises of peace and an invitation to join the working cause.

People often used them for other stuff, like filters, toilet paper, kindling, floating, or they just were destroyed as such they are scarce today. Probably nothing of great interest but a neat find. As each batch of flyers was different they are quite rare, if you are able to fold it out and scan for the Internet Archive, that would be very useful.

The green sticker is a price tag.

[poodling around]

This a communist-propaganda leaflet. Appears to be folded and made into some sort of bag? Maybe for holding small objects. These were printed in the hundreds of millions and airdropped across China during the civil war. There are promises of peace and an invitation to join the working cause.

People often used them for other stuff, like filters, toilet paper, kindling, floating, or they just were destroyed as such they are scarce today. Probably nothing of great interest but a neat find. As each batch of flyers was different they are quite rare, if you are able to fold it out and scan for the Internet Archive, that would be very useful.

The green sticker is a price tag.

Very interesting indeed. Thank you so very much for providing the information.

I have just read about the China Civil War and understand that there were two periods. 1 August 1927 – 26 December 1936 (first phase)
10 August 1945 – 7 December 1949 (second phase).

Can you please confirm whether this leaflet was issued during 1927 - 1936 or 1945 to 1949 ?

I will certainly try to fold it out and scan the copies.

Also, is the price tag also written in Chinese please and what does it say ?

Thank you once again.

[chuckmoy]

I believe phase one based off the phrasing, lack of symbols, lack of english, paper type, etc.

Thank you, a scan to the Internet Archive is a valuable component of history saved.

From what I can see it just says "Price", but there is more to the tag it looks like hidden deeper in the crack/case.

[poodling around]

I believe phase one based off the phrasing, lack of symbols, lack of english, paper type, etc.

Thank you, a scan to the Internet Archive is a valuable component of history saved.

From what I can see it just says "Price", but there is more to the tag it looks like hidden deeper in the crack/case.

Wow ! Thank you so VERY much for your help with this.

I will find the gramophone again and have another look at the price tag and take a quick photo of them for here as well.

The hidden histroy of gramophones (and records) can be so very interesting, educational and mysterious too ! Each and every one, whether it can be readily voiced or not, has it's own little story to tell.

[chuckmoy]

You are very welcome!

Yes. I'm curious to see the cost the store was selling it for. If you end up scanning that leaflet- PM me the link to it's archive page.

Yes the hidden stories are very interesting. I recall buying an Edison with coins, writings, and random old items in it.

[poodling around]

You are very welcome!

Yes. I'm curious to see the cost the store was selling it for. If you end up scanning that leaflet- PM me the link to it's archive page.

Yes the hidden stories are very interesting. I recall buying an Edison with coins, writings, and random old items in it.

Hi there,

I am very pleased that you are interested too.

Your Edison finds remind me of other things I found in the past. Wonderful !

Here are a few photographs of the gramophone and price tag.

Please let me know what the price tag says etc. I think it is written in the Chinese language ?

Thank you so very much.

[chuckmoy]

The machine is definitely Japanese.

The price tag is a government issued price tag. What is odd is this is for a new electronic product, as the bottom text says Supervised by Beijing Municipal Price Inspection Office A3-2. My guess is this tag just slipped in or fell in the machine. Looks like 1970s-1980s. During the Great Leap Forward, offices inspected and regulated the price of newly produced products. This, along with the rest of the Great Leap Forward was a massive failure as it restricted the price of goods.

The price is Yuan 70. This is just shy of $10 today. Hope this helps you!

[poodling around]

The machine is definitely Japanese.

The price tag is a government issued price tag. What is odd is this is for a new electronic product, as the bottom text says Supervised by Beijing Municipal Price Inspection Office A3-2. My guess is this tag just slipped in or fell in the machine. Looks like 1970s-1980s. During the Great Leap Forward, offices inspected and regulated the price of newly produced products. This, along with the rest of the Great Leap Forward was a massive failure as it restricted the price of goods.

The price is Yuan 70. This is just shy of $10 today. Hope this helps you!

I am truly indebted to you. I am now all the wiser and very happy indeed !

The information that you have provided is absolutely fascinating stuff to me and thinking about the gramophone's history allows my imagination to run wild !

Oh, I also have the original soundbox hidden around somewhere incidentally.

I will soon have a look at the propaganda leaflet then and see how easily it can be 'unglued'.

Thank you once again.

[chuckmoy]

Haha!

Yes, just take it slow and easy, maybe use a small knife to try and split the glued parts. You may lose a couple of words, but I'm sure it will still turn out well.

I have googled the brand of Magna phonograph and have not found many results. Where did you acquire this machine?