The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've seen quite a few small upright machines by other makers- even a Victor X isn't very tall. Since this was a mail order machine a compact size would have saved on shipping charges- though some large and elaborate Silvertones were made. Though they aren't considered a top make Sears sold so many machines that they can be considered a major supplier.

Though they are seldom anything unusual Silvertone machines through the mid 20's are very well built. After Sears started imitating the Victor Orthophonic styles the quality of the cabinets goes down a little and pot metal substitutes for brass inside- they were still excellent value for the dollar in their time but the average "Truephonic Silvertone" doesn't age well.

I have an almost identical Silvertone which is in perfect condition. Mine is amost 42 inches high with a different grill and the reproducer adaptor is on the left side. I'd post a photograph but it is buried so deep I cannot get it out. Nice little machine. Enjoy..............

Interesting. I did not realize these small Silvertones were mail-order machines! I just assumed you walked into a Sears Roebuck store and bought one.

Until the mid 20's Sears had no retail stores- they aimed at the rural market, people on farms or in small communities hours from any large stores. Even in the late 30's they were still carrying goods for houses with little or no electricity: oil lamps, treadle sewing machines & hand operated washing machines.

I grew up in a small city that in the 1960's was an hour from the nearest big city and shopping mall. We planned our shopping ahead of time, looked for fashionable clothes while visiting Grandmother in Allentown PA, and we got a lot of Christmas toys from the Sears catalog.

"Can we all post some additional photos of other Silvertone models on this thread"

This one is somewhat taller, 48", and a bit fancier. Bought on CL about 3 yrs ago.

Nice - any idea when that particular model was produced?

Now that's a very ornate Silvertone - just as nice as the higher end Victrolas! Lets keep posting these Silvertones from all your collections on this thread as it a great way to ID and share info and photos of these sometimes "forgotten" talking machines! This one is beautiful, not as plain Jane as my new Oak find. Does this one have a single or double spring motor? And is that turntable felt actually a purple color from the factory?

Now here's a Sivertone that has been on EBay for several months. Cabinet to me looks totally homemade and way too new looking? I could be wrong. Seller states: This small Silvertone table model was made by Columbia Talking Machine Co. Cabinet dimensions are: 11 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 12 inches high and weighs 17 lbs.

Here is a 1923 Sears,Roebuck Catalog. This should give you some idea when they were made. Steve's machine (on the left)was $148.00. By the way, here is another page showing some great items available at the time.

briankeith wrote:Now here's a Sivertone that has been on EBay for several months. Cabinet to me looks totally homemade and way too new looking? I could be wrong. Seller states: This small Silvertone table model was made by Columbia Talking Machine Co. Cabinet dimensions are: 11 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 12 inches high and weighs 17 lbs.

Not sure why you think that is a Silvertone??. Unless you have a ad for one??. It's just Ebay junk and nothing more.