The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Is the edge of the horn showing in the left oval or is it part of the motor? If it's the horn, it must be very small and aimed at the corner. The crank must be in some sort of a receptacle for storage when not connected. It's hard to believe a top wind motor would have been used but it's possible. Jerry

Roaring20s wrote:From what can be seen of the horn, I think it pushes the sound towards to the corner closest to us in the photo. The two sides that we see are the direction of its projection. I bet its opening is pretty well in the center of the case. The view that we see is also its intended angle of use.

If that round portion of "something" visible in the upper-right corner of the left oval is the horn, then perhaps yes.

If that's something else (spring barrel of the motor?) then my best guess is that the horn was simply a short trumpet pointing downwards at the base of the case, as much as it happens in reflecting-horn machines like the HMV 100, just to name one. Then the sound was left to escape from the ovals, giving 360° surround sound.

In any case, it is very likely that the sound quality of this machine was very, very poor. More a nice piece of furniture than a musical instrument methinks. I also think that the unusual perspective of the photograph was choosen being the sole point of view from which the machine looked glamourous and not cluttered with gears, axles and other mechanical stuff.

The arm looks like a standard HMV tapered arm + goose neck + Exhibition, doesn't it?

Or it could simply be homemade. I have a book dated 1910 that has instructions on how to make your own phonograph. If so, it would be worth taking a picture of! Regards, Johnny