The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was very fortunate to get a Baby Phonograph. It was ebay #291011600753. There is hardly any information for this little machine. The machine was manufactured by Garford Manufacturing CO. Elyria, Ohio. I'm trying to find information about it. Was it a children's phonograph? When were they manufactured? Were they specifically designed for the Little Wonder records? As you can see in the listing, the machine is in decent condition. I know I have work to do on the reproducer, but it's doable. One thing I am looking for, on the side where the speed control goes is a paper label. There is only half of it there. Does any one have one of these machines with a good label? If so, I would like to have a scan, and apply it to my machine. Any information about this machine, or scan will be greatly appreciated.
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey, from what I understand these are not solely for children, as the ad says "fine for the children".

Harvey's Baby... Advertisements... James.

Does the music come-out two octaves higher than from a normal-size talking machine ?

Garford was a manufacturer of telephones. I think they changed to Leich telehones.

Just so you are aware, the Baby is really tough to repair if there
is a motor problem. If its working 'ok' its best to leave well enough
alone.

Actually,
The motor works fine, but it is more to display. I'm working on the reproducer. It is pot metal with many cracks running through it. I filled all the cracks with super glue and JB weld. Everything is set and the reproducer is intact. All I have to do is paint the reproducer and assemble all the parts. The machine is in remarkable condition. On the right side where the crank goes, there is a paper label glued onto the case. Only half of the label remains. If any one has a Baby phonograph with this label, I sure would appreciate a scan. I would print it out and put it on my Baby. When it gets finished, I'll have one of my buddies post it. Thanks for all the responses so far.
Harvey Kravitz

howardpgh wrote:Garford was a manufacturer of telephones. I think they changed to Leich telehones.

Garford was a manufacturer of bicycles. It began as the Fay Mfg. Co. back in the early 'Ninties, and after Art Garford's retirement was purchashed by Geo. Worthington Hardware. The telephones, which are assembled units using Eureka, Leich and North Electric components were distributed by Worthington, and may have assembled in Elyria, or thay may have been produced for Worthington by North electric, which shared a directors with both Worthington and Garford Mfg in the 'Teens.

By the mid 1920's the firm had been spun off on its own as the Colson Company. The Colson firm was later the subject an early example of the LBO by the Pritker interests, wherin a firm was purchased with a great deal of debt, which debt was subsequently redeemed by draining the firm's pension fund before moving production away to the South. There were two other Garford enterprises in Elyria, the Garford Motor Company, manufacturers of the Garford automobile and the "Studebaker-Garford", and the Garford Truck Company, which eventually became Superior Coach Works, makers of the famous Superior school buses and funeral cars. After the the Garford Motor Company was absorbed into Willys-Overland the Garford Automobile mfg plant was leased by Otto Heinemann's General Phonograph Company for the manufacture of talking machine sundries, eventually becoming the General Industries Company.

Here are a few photos of Harvey's Baby machine.

The last picture shows half of a label that was on the side of the machine. If someone has a Baby phonograph with a complete label, I would like a scan of this, so I can apply this to my machine. Thanks in advance for any help.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:I was very fortunate to get a Baby Phonograph. It was ebay #291011600753. There is hardly any information for this little machine. The machine was manufactured by Garford Manufacturing CO. Elyria, Ohio. I'm trying to find information about it. Was it a children's phonograph? When were they manufactured? Were they specifically designed for the Little Wonder records? As you can see in the listing, the machine is in decent condition. I know I have work to do on the reproducer, but it's doable. One thing I am looking for, on the side where the speed control goes is a paper label. There is only half of it there. Does any one have one of these machines with a good label? If so, I would like to have a scan, and apply it to my machine. Any information about this machine, or scan will be greatly appreciated.
Harvey Kravitz

Would love to see a finished product or even some of the restoration you have performed on this baby phonograph when you get the chance. Very neat pick up!! Great addition to the collection