The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

m0xiemama wrote:Looks lovely, Tink. Brunswicks really do have nice style.

Thank you, Moxie. It was one of my better $50.00 investments... especially when I found out it pre-dated Brunswick production model numbers.

Tink, Love this Brunswick! I'm a sucker for the big ornate cabinets. I have several Brunswick models, all of which I love, even the sound to me is better than a Victrola. Brunswick Collender Co made some of the most beautiful cabinetry in the early 20th Cent. There is a picture of your phono in Tim and George's book PHONOGRAPHICA, page 137. It is a reprint of a Brunswick catalog of 1918. Your model is the third step down from their most elite model the "1500", costing ( imagine that) $1500.00
Yours is style 275 the next style was 225, priced accordingly, the only difference being the grill. Just thought you might like to know about this in case you didn't!?. Ed

EFearing wrote:Tink, Love this Brunswick! I'm a sucker for the big ornate cabinets. I have several Brunswick models, all of which I love, even the sound to me is better than a Victrola. Brunswick Collender Co made some of the most beautiful cabinetry in the early 20th Cent. There is a picture of your phono in Tim and George's book PHONOGRAPHICA, page 137. It is a reprint of a Brunswick catalog of 1918. Your model is the third step down from their most elite model the "1500", costing ( imagine that) $1500.00
Yours is style 275 the next style was 225, priced accordingly, the only difference being the grill. Just thought you might like to know about this in case you didn't!?. Ed

Hi Ed ~

Thank you for your lovely comments.

Actually, after some rather extensive research (and with the help of Mr. R. Wakeman), I learned that my particular Brunswick was manufactured in 1916 prior to model numbers being issued. It has no actual model badge, and had a tonearm which held two, separate reproducers.

That really is a nice Brunswick, Tink. I especially like the decal!

George P.

Tinkerbell wrote:

EFearing wrote:Tink, Love this Brunswick! I'm a sucker for the big ornate cabinets. I have several Brunswick models, all of which I love, even the sound to me is better than a Victrola. Brunswick Collender Co made some of the most beautiful cabinetry in the early 20th Cent. There is a picture of your phono in Tim and George's book PHONOGRAPHICA, page 137. It is a reprint of a Brunswick catalog of 1918. Your model is the third step down from their most elite model the "1500", costing ( imagine that) $1500.00
Yours is style 275 the next style was 225, priced accordingly, the only difference being the grill. Just thought you might like to know about this in case you didn't!?. Ed

Hi Ed ~

Thank you for your lovely comments.

Actually, after some rather extensive research (and with the help of Mr. R. Wakeman), I learned that my particular Brunswick was manufactured in 1916 prior to model numbers being issued. It has no actual model badge, and had a tonearm which held two, separate reproducers.

Hi Tinkerbell,
Love your Brunswick. They sure did make some nice cabinets and I actually play mine more then I play my other machines. One of my Brunswicks was a pre model badge but is the same as my style 35 other than it has a wood motor board and has a brass tonearm instead of a metal motor board and pot metal tonearm on the style 35 (I did replace the pot metal tonearm with a brass one as the original was cracked.) Have you been able to contact Mr. Wakeman about his book? Jan

phonogal wrote: Have you been able to contact Mr. Wakeman about his book? Jan

Hi Jan ~

I, too, love the sound of my old Brunswick. It also has a wood motorboard, and a rectangular horn (rather than the oval). I replaced the original tonearm and reproducers with the brass Ultona because the original equipment was pot metal and deteriorating. They have been with Walt Sommers who is attempting to restore them.

I have not yet approached Mr. Wakeman; I have been attempting to draft a letter to make my proposal, and wish to word it in such a way that he would view the idea favorably. If you have any input or suggestions in this regard, they are certainly most welcome.

Tinkerbell wrote:

phonogal wrote: Have you been able to contact Mr. Wakeman about his book? Jan

Hi Jan ~

I, too, love the sound of my old Brunswick. It also has a wood motorboard, and a rectangular horn (rather than the oval). I replaced the original tonearm and reproducers with the brass Ultona because the original equipment was pot metal and deteriorating. They have been with Walt Sommers who is attempting to restore them.

I have not yet approached Mr. Wakeman; I have been attempting to draft a letter to make my proposal, and wish to word it in such a way that he would view the idea favorably. If you have any input or suggestions in this regard, they are certainly most welcome.

Tinkerbell, It's really interesting to see the progression of the machines. Your pre badge model is earlier than mine as mine has the oval horn and newer lid decal. I found a patent date of 1918 on the lid support hardware of mine so mine may have had the Ultonia reproducer from the start. Jan.

phonogfp wrote:That really is a nice Brunswick, Tink. I especially like the decal!

George P.

Thank you, George. The decal is certainly different than the one we typically see on this era of Brunswick.

I've heard speculation that the decal was also used on billiard tables at the time, but of course, there is no way to confirm or verify that information.

I love your machine Tinkerbell, very classy
Andreas