The Seashell Gramophone

[tinovanderzwan]

At this time the Austrian Odeon (Hermann Maassen) had no connection to the German Lindström. But, as said, it is likely that Hermann Maassen in Vienna bought parts from Germany. It is even a little bit more complex: More exclusive cabinets often hadn´t been made by the "Big Names" like Lindström, Polyphon and so on by themself, but ordered from specialized companys. Often these cabinetmakers were located in Thuringia or Saxonia (Germany).

By the way - Vox, Polyphon(e) and Anker had never a connection to Lindström; Homocord not before 1925 via Bristish Columbia.

as you said many companies bought parts from germany it does not mean that there's a official paper trail but parts did end up on machines for instance lindstrom brakes do apear on anker machines just like they did on most german machines
so there is a conection just not a official paper one

anker donizetti 2.jpg (29.32 KiB) Viewed 4226 times

tino

[Odeon]

Two more words about the „connection“ between Odeon, Austria (Herman Maassen), the producer of the Seashell Gramophone and Lindström (applies also to other, European companys).

The Brake:
Even the big Lindström didn´t made all parts of their gramophones by their self. Exact this kind of brake had been made by the “Metallwaren Fabrik” Wurzen in Saxony. The company had been one of the biggest producers and resellers of metal hardware for gramophones in Europe, in Germany anyway. It is most likely, that Lindström didn´t produced this brake by their self, but bought it from the Company Wurzen – as a lot of other Companys also did.

The Cabinet:
Tino, you made in this other tread about the “Seashell Gramophone” http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 81#p125281 the supposition that the cabinet (or parts of it) had been also made by Lindström. As said with the brake before, the phonoindustry in Germany was very specialized with the makers of the various parts. Another big Company at this time, had been the company “Stenophon” who also sold the cabinets (without metal hardware) to other companys. As you see with this ad from 1910, it is very similar to the cabinet seen here before.

stenophon.jpg (84.5 KiB) Viewed 4175 times

Kind regards

[Odeon]

July 1911 - maybe "Phönix" in Dresden (Germany) is the real producer of this Gramophone, although patented by Hermann Maassen in Vienna, Austria.

[snallast]

Well! Odeon finally solved the mystery! Great! I was doing so much detective back when I first found it - and found nothing. This forum and it´s knowledgeable and friendly members is the best! Thanks Odeon!

Snal