The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all,

I picked up a rather handsome portable. There are no maker's marks on the visible part of the machine, but the motor (a 2-spring pillar and plate) and turntable are Paillard made. The reproducer, with a metal diaphragm, bears a large letter B. I am guessing made by some company using Paillard components. The machine had been in the same family since new in the 30s. It still has the original unused dividers in the record compartment in the lid and also has a little record compartment accessible from the outside via a door on the lid.

Look familiar to anyone?

Also, as you will see by the pictures, there is a chrome plated frame in the back made to hold something. The instruction book perhaps?

Clay

WOW !
That is a beautiful portable. Sorry, don't know the maker. Very attractive. How does it sound ?

Mike

The "B" on the reproducer indicates "Birch", however, that machine is of much higher quality than any Birch portable I ever laid eyes on. I don't think that reproducer is correct for this machine, I suspect yours would have had a nice European reproducer on it originally.

Sean

If I had to make a guess, I'd say it's a Birch that has lost it's decal.

OrthoSean wrote:The "B" on the reproducer indicates "Birch", however, that machine is of much higher quality than any Birch portable I ever laid eyes on. I don't think that reproducer is correct for this machine, I suspect yours would have had a nice European reproducer on it originally.

Sean

You beat me to it! I typed my post and got distracted at work and forgot to hit submit

It's a very nice looking portable. Taken good care of, it appears.

Probably made to be sold by a high class music store or department store, who would put their name on it. I think I've seen something similar with a Wanamaker decal. The holder might be for a record index.

Quite a beauty.

Scott wrote:It's a very nice looking portable. Taken good care of, it appears.

By and large it is in well above average condition for a portable. Very clean. There are splits in the fabric at the rear corners, but the fabric is all there and these should close up pretty well with glue-up. Otherwise all that was needed cosmetically was a light cleaning. There is some issue with the motor that keeps in from running at the moment, and I think it may have to do with the spring clutch type winding mechanism it uses in lieu of a ratchet. That seems pretty much frozen at the moment. Otherwise the motor is clean and the gears all look good and the governor turns OK using my fingers and the brake is not binding. Can't tell about the health of the springs until the winding issue is resolved. I may send the motor off to George V to have a look. I tested the reproducer on another machine and it sounds OK.

Haven't found much yet on Birch phonographs, other than that they were apparently manufactured by Boetsch Bros in New York.

Clay

estott wrote:Probably made to be sold by a high class music store or department store, who would put their name on it. I think I've seen something similar with a Wanamaker decal. The holder might be for a record index.

Quite a beauty.

Bingo.

I sold one on eBay about ten years ago when I was thinning out my collection. It was a high end department store offering- I can't remember which store. I'll have to see if I have it in my photo files somewhere.

I regret having sold it. If I recall, a collector in Japan hit my ridiculously high "Buy It Now" price within a day of me posting it. Mine had a built in record brush, too.

A very fine and well- made machine for a picnic portable!

You might find this of interest:

http://www.phonoland.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1941


I bought it about 15 years ago, and it's a great performer. The one I have has a Paillard sound box, which is identical to this one --



-- but is not marked with the logo.

I was told that the one I have was originally purchased at the Emporium department store, in San Francisco. (Never been able to verify this.)

Joe