Neolite / Neophone Sound-Box

[poodling around]

I don't really know anything about this sound-box.

I looked on the internet and still am 'non-the-wiser' ........... well not much.

I wonder what kind of gramophone it was used on ?

Any further /other information would also really be appreciated too.

Thank you as always.

[jamiegramo]

Thank you for posting. I think this is a rare soundbox dating to around 1906-08. ‘Neolite’ was the name given to the material Neophone records were made of which are also very rare. This appears to be a kit you could buy to convert your gramophone to play the Neophone records which were vertically cut.

[epigramophone]

As Jamie says, this is a very rare soundbox.
Founded in 1904 (some sources say 1903) by William Michaelis (brother of Alfred of G&T fame) Neophone produced the first vertically cut disc records, two years ahead of Pathé.
As well as a range of complete machines, Neophone offered an adapter to enable lateral cut records to be played.
Unfortunately Neophone records suffered from excessive surface noise and were expensive. The company failed in 1908.

[poodling around]

Thank you for posting. I think this is a rare soundbox dating to around 1906-08. ‘Neolite’ was the name given to the material Neophone records were made of which are also very rare. This appears to be a kit you could buy to convert your gramophone to play the Neophone records which were vertically cut.

Very interesting information indeed.

I would never have guessed, but now you say it, I understand that it is a 'kit' and could fit many different types of gramophone of 'the time'.

Fascinating stuff !

Thank you as always jamiegramo.

[poodling around]

As Jamie says, this is a very rare soundbox.
Founded in 1904 (some sources say 1903) by William Michaelis (brother of Alfred of G&T fame) Neophone produced the first vertically cut disc records, two years ahead of Pathé.
As well as a range of complete machines, Neophone offered an adapter to enable lateral cut records to be played.
Unfortunately Neophone records suffered from excessive surface noise and were expensive. The company failed in 1908.

Thank you epigramophone.

Great to know about the history of the company too.

[drh]

In light of the label "sapphire point," I'm wondering: Did the records have the same sort of "sapphire ball" type groove as Pathé discs? I'd always thought Pathé originated that geometry, but if Neophone used it first, I guess Pathé simply would have popularized it.

[epigramophone]

In light of the label "sapphire point," I'm wondering: Did the records have the same sort of "sapphire ball" type groove as Pathé discs? I'd always thought Pathé originated that geometry, but if Neophone used it first, I guess Pathé simply would have popularized it.

They certainly used a sapphire, but whether it was a ball sapphire I cannot say. I have never seen a Neophone one.

[CarlosV]

In light of the label "sapphire point," I'm wondering: Did the records have the same sort of "sapphire ball" type groove as Pathé discs? I'd always thought Pathé originated that geometry, but if Neophone used it first, I guess Pathé simply would have popularized it.

Whether Pathé or other company started the production of flat records with sapphire balls playing vertical grooves, the concept was already being applied in the phonographs before the flat discs were created, all playing vertical grooves with sapphire balls.

[jamiegramo]

Perhaps the sapphire point is still present with the accessories? If so maybe poodling could photograph it or describe it. Potentially a rare glimpse at the geometry of Neophone records.

[poodling around]

Perhaps the sapphire point is still present with the accessories? If so maybe poodling could photograph it or describe it. Potentially a rare glimpse at the geometry of Neophone records.

I wish I could help, but the 'sapphire point' container end cap (as shown 'above') is all I have. I suppose it does show that they were still called a 'point' ...........

Maybe in the future ? I wouldn't bet my socks on it but who knows .....

It is little consolation but I attach 3 more photographs 'below' showing the 'chuck' (being round). the sound-box reverse side and how the sound-box would have been displayed in the box originally (the red, plush material was previously up-side down and hidden from me previously.