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OK, now that I'm home and could check some print references, I'm going to say 1919 is probably correct. Brunswick hadn't really been in the phonograph business in the US for very long, but were in Canada as early as 1917. The "Ultona" was apparently introduced around 1921, so it has to be almost certainly 1919. Again, this machine looks like a really nice one!

Sean

I've emailed the person who posted on CL, but haven't heard back yet. Hopefully I will hear something before somebody else beats me to the punch.

*Fingers crossed*



Sean

OrthoSean wrote:OK, now that I'm home and could check some print references, I'm going to say 1919 is probably correct. Brunswick hadn't really been in the phonograph business in the US for very long, but were in Canada as early as 1917. The "Ultona" was apparently introduced around 1921, so it has to be almost certainly 1919. Again, this machine looks like a really nice one!

Sean

I contacted the person who has listed on Ebay the magazine advertisement that I posted earlier, and asked if she could clarify the date it was published. She said the ad is from a magazine called The Etude, and it was dated November 1917.

Ah...mystery solved! Excellent. That means this CL Brunswick is a REALLY early machine, too. Bonus!

Sean

The Ultona was introduced on Canada in 1918. But they were courting the Canadian market very early, including a line of vertical cut recordings with broad Pathé groove. The earliest Brunswick ads up here featured " Miss Brunswick" that they used as a semi-trademark holding the second reproducer in her hands as she looks lovingly at the turntable. In this one she has an Ultona and the hands have beed retouched. The supplement is undated but from the selections it's early 1920. I'm not making up " Miss Brunswick" I've seen ads inviting the public to meet " Miss Brunswick" at the Canadian National Exhibition...and annual event in late summer in Toronto. Still exists but sadly, the Phongraph Builing, and Miss Brunswick is no more.
The Brunswick sold very well up here. And they do sound good!

Jim

GREAT supplement!

Interesting, nonetheless as well because according to Nauck the term Ultona wasn't in use the US until 1921, and machines not until 1918 here. I have no idea where he got the info published in ARLIE, but that's what it says. I don't come across many of the two reproducer type Brunswicks often (ok, I haven't seen one locally in several years), so I always assumed the Ultona was earlier than 1921...I just didn't want to post that before I checked ARLIE.

Sean

I am struck by how much the machine on the Right in the Ad was maintained though their manufacture. My oval horn Brunswick with Ultona Arm is almost that cabinet but with a different grill pattern.

I am not sure I am as enthralled with the early machines. I had one of those at one point and never found that smaller square horn to have the quality I found in my oval horn machine, or is it just me? There is a Square horn machine not too far from me for 50.00 or best offer. It has issues with the arm but the reproducer might be close to worth it if you needed it. I didn't realize till I tired to pick up a gold arm that would still slide in and out as it should that there were various designs for that rear mount. I think that the earlier Brunswick arm also is perhaps a bit smaller at the point the floating reproducer arm connects. At least the screw and cap on the end of the arm appears smaller on the early ones so those pieces may not be inter changeable.
Yes Brunswick is still one of my most favorite machines. Someday I may have to pick up a decent sized victor again just to compare, its been years since owned one but found it lacking next to brunswick's tonal quality.

Larry

Well, the seller offered it to me via email for 50 bucks... I am posting the pictures below. There is a little damage to one of the corner carved moldings and some (what is described as and appears to be) superficial scratching. He said it's working, it has not had the motor serviced, nor has it been refinished.

What do you think? Worth the 50 bucks? There are 5 pics that follow.

Go for it! For only $50 it's a real bargain on a fine looking machine. Even the parts are worth more than that.