The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

For quite some time now, I've had the following two items. Though both are not connected, or even part of the same purchase, I hated to flood the forum with two different post about each item individually.

The first is a horn, with a very early style. Typically these are seen in brass, and with more of a "handle" style hanger, where as this simply has a hook. I have never seen one in this finish, which isn't nickel, but more of a galvanized, or gun metal type. The seams, and slices visual inside the bell are very professional, whether from a factory, or just a local tinsmith. That's where you all come in

The next item is the top section of a horn crane. A fellow collector had it for quite some time, and many inquired about it. Finally I did enough convincing (whining ) and I was able to purchase it. The complete circle is a design I have seen many times in early catalogs typically paired with early Bell Tainter, and class M machines, but I have not seen this particular one.

Perhaps you can all give me some help making head or tails of these pieces!

Thanks All!
Aaron

Aaron,

Your partial crane is indeed appropriate for the Bell Tainter era. I've attached a picture of a complete version of your crane. These are called sometimes called hoop cranes. They were some of the earliest examples of floor cranes.

The horn is cool as well.

Shawn

It is also possible that your crane is a birdcage support

Aaron,

Shawn has already shown a complete floor stand that appears identical to yours. Here are a couple of others which I believe are Hawthorne & Sheble - - at least one is illustrated on page 13 of the 1901 H&S catalog as the "No.3." (I believe you have a copy of this catalog as well.) By the way, 1901 is the latest I have seen these circular-style horn supports listed in catalogs. Your horn looks professionally made, but I've never seen it in a catalog (nor another existing example). I'd guess (but it's only a guess) that it is the product of a small firm or a single craftsman of the period.

George P.

Shawn, thank you for the picture. I have yet to see one similar to mine, and that is the exact one!

George, the cranes you show are what I typically see. In my catalog, as well as others. But my I have yet to ever find my example in a catalog thus my curiosity.

I concur on you suspicions about the horn. I believed when I first bought it that it was from a tin smith of the day, or some small firm. But I never really asked around for other opinions. Like I mentioned as well as you stated, it appears very professionally done, but I have never seen a reference to it. One thing I do know, is that it was well for the $50 I paid for it come closing time 2 years ago in Wayne

Regards,
Aaron

Great items Aaron - right in my wheelhouse!

Is the decoration around the horn embossed or painted?

The decoration around the bell is indeed embossed. Even over the seam of the bell. This is one characteristic that I feel really makes it the product of some professional. Whether a factory or otherwise. The seam, edges, and embossing are all processes well out of the realm of someone in the shed with a few old ash tubs laying around

Aaron

Both items are very nice and will greatly complement the early period machines!

Could the horn possibly be some kind of a funnel instead of a horn? Many old funnels were made with that type of small hanging ring on the lip and some were embossed or decorated.