The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks for the help guys....I've always wanted one of these machines, but never had the chance to buy one (that I could afford anyway). Where would I find a serial number on this thing? It has a layer of dust 1 inch thick

fonograph wrote: Where would I find a serial number on this thing? It has a layer of dust 1 inch thick

The first step is to remove the dust!

Position the machine so the crank is toward you. The serial number should be stamped in the metal plate directly above the crank. You may need to remove the turntable to see it.

George P.

fonograph wrote:Jerry the letters on the reproducer are actually engraved. No paper.
And let me clarify, I get 100% money back if not completely satisfied...

So, it appears that Frank Seaman was quite an entrepreneur to say the least. Two questions: Is it possible that the machine could have come with the standard sound box originally? Would the horn also be correct for this machine?

I'm gonna try to post more pix of the whole machine later.
Thanks,
Bob

Yes Bob, I know. The paper I was referring to was the paper that is in there now. The identification that I thought it might be hiding would be the engraving you speak of.

JerryVan wrote:

fonograph wrote:Jerry the letters on the reproducer are actually engraved. No paper.
And let me clarify, I get 100% money back if not completely satisfied...

So, it appears that Frank Seaman was quite an entrepreneur to say the least. Two questions: Is it possible that the machine could have come with the standard sound box originally? Would the horn also be correct for this machine?

I'm gonna try to post more pix of the whole machine later.
Thanks,
Bob

Yes Bob, I know. The paper I was referring to was the paper that is in there now. The identification that I thought it might be hiding would be the engraving you speak of.

Oh, I get what you're saying now. Wow, that sure looks like paper in there now.

George....you sure know your zonophones...the serial number is 4313.

I couldn't find anything (much) on Robert L Gibson. I did find some info on Henry Jones. Is there a source for more info on these guys other than patent searches?

fonograph wrote: I couldn't find anything (much) on Robert L Gibson. I did find some info on Henry Jones. Is there a source for more info on these guys other than patent searches?

Henry Jones doesn't ring a bell, but there's information on Robert L. Gibson in a book called Discovering Antique Phonographs, by a couple of guys whose names I don't remember.

George P.

The earlier Zonophone A's with the more central position of the travel arm support were made from 1899-1901, from what I have been told. I have an early "A." My machine came with a "pressed fit" brass elbow, with no knurled thumb screw. That was appropriate for that machine. It is okay to use an all brass horn with brass elbow and knurled thumbscrew on the later "A's" with the later humpback motor.

I am curious as to what is under the electricians tape(?) Was that added years ago so that the reproducer would stay put? I would be interested to see if under the tape is the correct pressed fit elbow. Then the correct reproducer would be the 3 or 4 screw closed face. The Concert-V was an upgrade (how much of an upgrade is in the "ear of the beholder.")

If under the tape is some sort of a flared flange, then the elbow is possibly a plumbing or musical instrument part.

Cheers, Jeff

Here are some pics of my early "A" with the pressed fit elbow. Note also the way the travel arm support is attached to the bed plate. This is also different than later models.

Forgot to add that my serial number is 4463.

Hope this helps!
Jeff

Thanks Jeff, that helps a ton. I'm pretty sure that my elbow was once a friction elbow.

Here's some pretty good reading (if you have the time) about Henry Jones and RL Gibson. Somebody was always suing somebody else in the phono community......some things never change.

Bob


https://books.google.com/books?id=xSsSA ... nt&f=false

fonograph wrote:Thanks Jeff, that helps a ton. I'm pretty sure that my elbow was once a friction elbow.

Here's some pretty good reading (if you have the time) about Henry Jones and RL Gibson. Somebody was always suing somebody else in the phono community......some things never change.

Bob


https://books.google.com/books?id=xSsSA ... nt&f=false

Interesting. It appears that Robert L. Gibson's "...manner and deportment..." failed him in court!

I've never seen a manufactured item resembling the Henry Jones sound box.

George P.