The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello !
I bought this phonograph eight years ago from an old lady near Quebec city (Canada) where I live.
She told me that his father bought this machine in 1914 and that it is the only thing of value they have brought with them from Germany when they moved to Canada in 1919. She also told me that the phonograph played music in a German bar (his father's ?) during the First World War.

The only inscription I see on the machine is on the sound box : Expression Polyphon.
No plate or decal. I'd like to find more informations about this machine, any clues ?

The dimensions are : 15”x15”, It has a 12” turntable and the horn diameter is 25,5 inches.

Thanks,
François

In all likelyhood its a Polyphon or Parlophone, both German manufacturers. The Swiss motor is not original to the machine.

A similar style of case was used by Paillard on several models in their Maestrophone range :

This was a product of the Polyphon Musikwerke of Leipzeig Germany, most probably made with Swiss parts and sold by them. Polyphon was a maker of music boxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgIw5oaHD8c but after that market evaporated they diversified in the 20th C. in an effort to stay in business- they also offered the "Polytype" typewriter and the "Polymobil" Automobile.

estott wrote:This was a product of the Polyphon Musikwerke of Leipzeig Germany, most probably made with Swiss parts and sold by them. Polyphon was a maker of music boxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgIw5oaHD8c but after that market evaporated they diversified in the 20th C. in an effort to stay in business- they also offered the "Polytype" typewriter and the "Polymobil" Automobile.

And later, Polygram Records.

JerryVan wrote:

estott wrote:This was a product of the Polyphon Musikwerke of Leipzeig Germany, most probably made with Swiss parts and sold by them. Polyphon was a maker of music boxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgIw5oaHD8c but after that market evaporated they diversified in the 20th C. in an effort to stay in business- they also offered the "Polytype" typewriter and the "Polymobil" Automobile.

And later, Polygram Records.

Now, that's interesting! Thanks, JerryVan!

Fran

The Swiss motor is a replacement - look at photo 2 in the original post

Polyphon certainly did not use Swiss parts in their machines. Pre WW1 they had a fairly large operation and were making their own motors that were marked PW for Polyphon Werke + sometimes followed by the model number of the motor.

Polyphon, Symphonion, Kalliope all as music box makers were a bit slow onto the market with recorded sound. Polyphon, Regina and a few others also tried initially to market music boxes that could also play records e.g. Polygraphon. Polyphon's first record was a metal disc with a thin layer of celluloid holding the recording. (obviously staying within their metal disc comfort zone)

Earliest and larger polyphon models had the motor fitted to the base of the cabinet (as example, motor of model 5)

Both Polyphon and Parlophone initially used to identify their models with a celluloid or metal plaque, but it seems that around 1910/11 they did not do this consequently thus many of the 2 makes (and many other european makes)can only be identified by looking at the case style, motor and other hardware, or hopefully referencing catalogues.