The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Kirkwood wrote:Gotta say I love these pics of store interiors, especially if Victrolas or phonographs are involved.

Looking at these Victrolas, I noticed that all of the Exhibition reproducers have rubber flanges that look light (gray?) in color. I had always assumed that this was the result of oxidation of the natural rubber that they used. But these are all fairly new machines here, so it would seem that any oxidation wouldn't have had time to happen yet. Was this gray color a paint or sealer that Victor applied at the factory? Or are we seeing a distortion brought on by the photographic process? Just curious....

I noticed the gray also. They must be factory-new. Also it's also interesting to me to compare the size of the horn doors (and thus the horns) on the earlier XI compared to the larger ones on my 1917 XI.

As a dedicated amateur (and sometime semi-pro) photographer, I appreciate the incredible tonal range and sharpness of the image. That's almost certainly an 8"x10" contact print from a glass-plate negative. IMO, considering the results, there really has not been significant, basic improvement in black-and-white chemistry in 100 years, when you look at pictures like this one! You can almost read the fine print on the April 1914 record list on the back wall!

(BTW, the link in Mark's post shows the exterior [and one interior] of Hawley's store in 1914 also, acc. to the info. on the page.)

Hi, I do know that back in the day the rubber tubing of coin operated, player and reproducing pianos was a light gray and with age the rubber tended to darken slightly. Even early auto tires were this light gray.
Allen

I like those early XIs. Deep in the bowels of the basement boneyard, I've kept a nice example (although quite dusty) of an early XI for someone, someday, who might appreciate it. The mahogany was RED back then, and the records were stored without albums, in vertical slats. The sound doors, as Henry pointed out, are remarkably small. Interesting little machines!

George P.

You know what's kind of weird about the Shorpy picture? Look closely at how dull the finish is on the mahogany machines, especially under the lids where it's normal even today to find a clear, shiny finish. The pianos in the picture seem to show a shiny and bright, uh, piano finish. The machines, though equally new, look like they've already spent a hundred years in someone's cellar. Heck, the one in George's basement looks in better shape. These machines need some GoJo, badly! Smoke from a coal stove, maybe? Lots and lots of cigarettes? Strange.

Cody K wrote:You know what's kind of weird about the Shorpy picture? Look closely at how dull the finish is on the mahogany machines, especially under the lids where it's normal even today to find a clear, shiny finish. The pianos in the picture seem to show a shiny and bright, uh, piano finish. The machines, though equally new, look like they've already spent a hundred years in someone's cellar. Heck, the one in George's basement looks in better shape. These machines need some GoJo, badly! Smoke from a coal stove, maybe? Lots and lots of cigarettes? Strange.

Those were my thought's, too! The machines look used!

Dale

That might explain why the XII is still there.

Maybe they simply had a "Previously Owned" section to peddle trade-ins when customers bought Orthophonics.

JerryVan wrote:Maybe they simply had a "Previously Owned" section to peddle trade-ins when customers bought Orthophonics.

Well, maybe not Orthophonics, since the latest records listing is for April 1914.

I'm wondering if the machines that look blotchy in the photograph may have waxed or some other type of low sheen finishes.

Clay

Hi All, Remember back in the old days flash photograph required flash powder and it appears it was used in this photo by the brightness of the open door of the table one model and the front of the other as well as reflections and blotching in the piano surfaces. It may be that the flash reflecting in the uneven grain of the wood caused some of the blotching in the other wood surfaces.
Allen