Bell-Tainter Type K

[phonogfp]

Which would be the more rare version of this type Graphophone? A Spring Motor propelled one, or an Electric?

Fran

Prior to the fall of 1894, all variations of the Bell-Tainter derived machines were equipped with electric motors (2 volt or 110 volt). Once the Macdonald spring motor was introduced in 1894 (used in the Type F and a little later in the Type N, and Type AN), the customer had more choice. Within a year or so the "Standard Graphophone" (as the Bell-Tainter business machine would eventually be termed in the catalogs) would usually labeled as a Type K. (The major difference between the K's upper works and earlier derivations such as the C, E, F, I, R, and U was the K's fixed shaver.)

By late 1896/early 1897, the Type K was the only Bell-Tainter derived machine offered, with a choice of three motors: spring, 110 volt DC, or 2 volt DC.

The answer to your question is partially answered by when it was assembled. Dealing only with the Type K, my experience has been seeing more spring motors than electric. Of course, we're dealing with a pretty small pool of machines!

Owners of Phonographica can see the entire contents of a rare late 1894 Graphophone catalog beginning on page 21, plus selected pages from another catalog published in late 1896-early 1897 beginning on page 30. A Type K like the eBay example, but equipped with a spring motor, is shown on page 32.

George P.

[De Soto Frank]

Battery not included ?

Phooey.

[fran604g]

Which would be the more rare version of this type Graphophone? A Spring Motor propelled one, or an Electric?

Fran

Prior to the fall of 1894, all variations of the Bell-Tainter derived machines were equipped with electric motors (2 volt or 110 volt). Once the Macdonald spring motor was introduced in 1894 (used in the Type F and a little later in the Type N, and Type AN), the customer had more choice. Within a year or so the "Standard Graphophone" (as the Bell-Tainter business machine would eventually be termed in the catalogs) would usually labeled as a Type K. (The major difference between the K's upper works and earlier derivations such as the C, E, F, I, R, and U was the K's fixed shaver.)

By late 1896/early 1897, the Type K was the only Bell-Tainter derived machine offered, with a choice of three motors: spring, 110 volt DC, or 2 volt DC.

The answer to your question is partially answered by when it was assembled. Dealing only with the Type K, my experience has been seeing more spring motors than electric. Of course, we're dealing with a pretty small pool of machines!

Owners of Phonographica can see the entire contents of a rare late 1894 Graphophone catalog beginning on page 21, plus selected pages from another catalog published in late 1896-early 1897 beginning on page 30. A Type K like the eBay example, but equipped with a spring motor, is shown on page 32.

George P.

Thank you, George, for the background! Does the image have drool on it?

Fran

[phonogfp]

Thank you, George, for the background! Does the image have drool on it?

Fran

I drooled all over that catalog when we shot it...

George P.

[Jerry B.]

Thanks, I appreciate the discussion. We'll all learn something. Jerry