The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

JerryVan wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 9:16 am Such claims...

"Cabinet body is made entirely of acoustic metal...."

What is acoustic metal??? (I think of Megadeath playing their music on acoustic guitars. )

"Tone arm is of violin fibre; sound waves do not pass through metal..."

So much for acoustic metal, I guess. What is violin fiber?

I love early advertising!

Recycled violin cases? Wood pulp?

A true portable was also available :

epigramophone wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 1:27 pm A true portable was also available :

I've never seen one of those. Maybe with a good metal saw and a carrying handle I could convert mine. The top ⅓ of the cabinet version appears almost identical.

MarkELynch wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 6:58 am Benjamin, please provide your source for this assertion so we can all benefit from your insight.
A scan of the relevant issues of The Talking Machine World publication make no mention of a juvenile market.

Thanks,
Mark

Marketing positions it as family-oriented, rather than being exclusively targeted at adults. The presence of carols featuring children's decals suggests it was popular among children. Additionally, the advertising directed at families implies that it was not intended to be viewed as a serious phonograph, but rather as a step up from a toy or a machine specifically designed for children.

MarkELynch wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 6:58 am

Benjamin_L wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 11:07 pm They sold well with children.

.... please provide your source for this assertion so we can all benefit from your insight.

Thanks,
Mark

Really?

Benjamin,

Thanks for posting this additional information, original source documents like these certainly extend our collective knowledge.

Mark