The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

phonogfp wrote:It helps a little!

The Standard Metal Manufacturing Company used diamond-shaped hangers like that on its horns. Unfortunately, Hawthorne & Sheble also used them briefly before adopting the more elaborate hanger unique to that brand.

At this point I can only say it's either a SMMCo. or an H&S horn.

George P.

Well that's more than I knew before. It does seem a bit strange that they couldn't find some place to stamp the name on such a large horn. Thanks!

For a horn that size in decent shape, I think the price is fair.

Clay

Valecnik wrote: It does seem a bit strange that they couldn't find some place to stamp the name on such a large horn. Thanks!

You're very welcome!

Both SMMCo and H&S sometimes stamped their names into the diamond-shaped brackets (which is how I know what I posted previously). I wish both companies had continued that practice!

H&S dropped the use of the diamond-shaped brackets around 1905 as near as I can estimate. Standard continued to use it, and even trademarked it, so later horns equipped with diamond-shaped hanger brackets (including Edison flower horns with diamond-shaped brackets) can be identified as manufactured by the Standard Metal Manufacturing Company.

George P.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that a horn that size for $160 would be an incredible deal? I must point out, however, that I base my assumption on past and present eBAY examples. It seems that even the horns under 30" fetch more than that.

Fran

fran604g wrote:Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that a horn that size for $160 would be an incredible deal? I must point out, however, that I base my assumption on past and present eBAY examples. It seems that even the horns under 30" fetch more than that.

Fran

Fran, arguably the larger horns cost more money when new and are less likely to have survived in good condition so they should be worth more. However many people shy away from them because of the space they take up. That being said, I think an all brass horn of that size in good condition has got to be worth quite a bit more than $160.

Don't be afraid to offer less money. I would offer $100 bucks for it.

Steve

Valecnik wrote:

fran604g wrote:Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that a horn that size for $160 would be an incredible deal? I must point out, however, that I base my assumption on past and present eBAY examples. It seems that even the horns under 30" fetch more than that.

Fran

Fran, arguably the larger horns cost more money when new and are less likely to have survived in good condition so they should be worth more. However many people shy away from them because of the space they take up. That being said, I think an all brass horn of that size in good condition has got to be worth quite a bit more than $160.

Ahhh, you're right about the space issue, I hadn't considered that.

Fran

Fran has already heard this story, but I'll bore the rest of you with it...

In the spring of 1973 I visited an antique shop just east of Canandaigua, N.Y. on Rt.20, and found the largest talking machine horn I've ever seen, before or since. It was a black & brass model with a red Tea Tray Company decal on the side that said, "Accepted Standard Amplifying Horn for Talking Machines" like this one: The decal on the horn was in very nice condition, as was the rest of the horn. The black paint had that dullness that screamed out, "WAX ME!" The brass bell was a light tan color that would have cleaned up well. I didn't see any dents or major scrapes... the whole horn was in remarkably nice condition. It was standing on its huge bell section (at least 3 feet in diameter), and it stood six feet tall. What a monster. The price was $225, which in 1973 was pretty crazy money for a horn (for example, in April 1973 I bought a beautiful #10 Cygnet at an auction with other collectors in attendance for $50). I was in college and didn't have an extra $225, nor did I have room for that horn. It would have occupied 25% of my bedroom.

The next time I stopped in that shop the horn was gone, and I've always wondered where it wound up. I wish I had it now!

George P.