The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Good grief - - that "Hidden Treasures" article is some mishmash of scrambled facts and imagination! In 1992, there was no reason to write rubbish like that. The Frow books were available, along with Baumbach's Look For The Dog and Reiss's Compleat Talking Machine.

This reminds me of the antique "experts," the Kovels, who ran a syndicated column in many newspapers years ago. I still have one stuck in the files around here, where they expounded on how to identify and date Edison Phonographs. Completely made up rigmarole.

And these people were paid to write this stuff!

George P.

phonogfp wrote:Good grief - - that "Hidden Treasures" article is some mishmash of scrambled facts and imagination! In 1992, there was no reason to write rubbish like that. The Frow books were available, along with Baumbach's Look For The Dog and Reiss's Compleat Talking Machine.

This reminds me of the antique "experts," the Kovels, who ran a syndicated column in many newspapers years ago. I still have one stuck in the files around here, where they expounded on how to identify and date Edison Phonographs. Completely made up rigmarole.

And these people were paid to write this stuff!

George P.

I just find people guesstimates about what year something was made amusing. Sadly even with all the info out there you still see stuff advertising a “1904 Victrola” or “1906 Victrola” And it’s 15 years newer than a Pooley cabinet machine.


My last article for today: From January 29, 1978

AmberolaAndy wrote:
My last article for today: From January 29, 1978

...And that's the exact article I was remembering!

"Collectors find the early history of phonographs confusing and incomplete." Yes, thanks to nonsense like this. According to Ralph and Terry's guide, the 1905-06 Model B Home pictured must actually be a Model E, F, or (the nonexistant) G, because of its "long, curved neck."

Once again, in 1978 much more accurate information was available, since Frow's first book was published in 1970. The Kovels apparently didn't care enough to consult it. That's okay, but given that attitude, they shouldn't have been writing about it!

How about that Hawthorne & Sheble upper crane stuck into the Cygnet bracket?

Thanks for that trip down memory lane!

George P.

phonogfp wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:
My last article for today: From January 29, 1978

...And that's the exact article I was remembering!

"Collectors find the early history of phonographs confusing and incomplete." Yes, thanks to nonsense like this. According to Ralph and Terry's guide, the 1905-06 Model B Home pictured must actually be a Model E, F, or (the nonexistant) G, because of its "long, curved neck."

Once again, in 1978 much more accurate information was available, since Frow's first book was published in 1970. The Kovels apparently didn't care enough to consult it. That's okay, but given that attitude, they shouldn't have been writing about it!

How about that Hawthorne & Sheble upper crane stuck into the Cygnet bracket?

Thanks for that trip down memory lane!

George P.

Well what a coincidence!

Here’s a nice article I found about Victrolas from October 16, 1976

AmberolaAndy wrote:
Here’s a nice article I found about Victrolas from October 16, 1976

What a difference! Joe Wakeman (who still writes under the name "R.J. Wakeman") wrote an excellent thumbnail history of the industry in 1976 - - years before the inaccurate stuff shown above. The information was available, and Mr. Wakeman took the trouble to find it and accurately relay it. And that made all the difference...

George P.

phonogfp wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:
Here’s a nice article I found about Victrolas from October 16, 1976

What a difference! Joe Wakeman (who still writes under the name "R.J. Wakeman") wrote an excellent thumbnail history of the industry in 1976 - - years before the inaccurate stuff shown above. The information was available, and Mr. Wakeman took the trouble to find it and accurately relay it. And that made all the difference...

George P.

Well prepared to be baffled at the next article from April 18, 1993. Especially the first paragraph ... maybe he has a lateral adapter for a Diamond Disc machine?

Interesting to see another Andy B. In the hobby. I wonder if he’s still collecting...

AmberolaAndy wrote:

phonogfp wrote:Well prepared to be baffled at the next article from April 18, 1993. Especially the first paragraph ... maybe he has a lateral adapter for a Diamond Disc machine?

Naaah--I'm sure the reporter wrote down notes "has Edison horn phonograph" and, later in the interview, "likes Al Jolson." Then, thinking the latter name--unlike, say, Cal Stewart or Billy Murray--is one readers might recognize without any explanation that would require further research, she (or her editor) just stuck the two together without the intervention of any grey matter for guidance.

drh wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:

phonogfp wrote:Well prepared to be baffled at the next article from April 18, 1993. Especially the first paragraph ... maybe he has a lateral adapter for a Diamond Disc machine?

Naaah--I'm sure the reporter wrote down notes "has Edison horn phonograph" and, later in the interview, "likes Al Jolson." Then, thinking the latter name--unlike, say, Cal Stewart or Billy Murray--is one readers might recognize without any explanation that would require further research, she (or her editor) just stuck the two together without the intervention of any grey matter for guidance.

No doubt.

In 2007, a reporter for a small local paper which has since folded (see what I did there?) wrote a story on my collecting. He was a good reporter, and carefully transcribed what I told him into his finished article. The problem was the paper's Editor, who insisted on writing all the headlines. In this case,

VINYL RULES!

Oh well...

George P.

Well there’s quite a few articles about Edison from 1977, the centennial year of the phonograph.

But until I get those clipped, enjoy this article about the 75th anniversary of the phonograph. August 10, 1952

Ok folks get ready for some articles from 1977. The centennial year of the phonograph.

First from February 23, 1977 is an article about a commemorative stamp to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the phonograph. How many members here have this stamp?