The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I enjoy playing my portable phonograph at events to share this hobby with others. For a while I was transporting the records in a modern record case, however this did not look very good with the old phonograph. I was looking for a real antique case, but I couldn't find one that was in good enough shape to handle a full load of 78s. Eventually I just decided to make one myself.

Here is my vintage-style portable record case, I made this last year and have used it quite a lot since then. It is made of fabric bound ¼" hobby plywood with green felt lining. The front of the case is decorated with a Victor Arch label and the corners are reinforced with brass metal braces. It can hold up to 25 records (10" 78s).
Thanks for looking!

I'm very impressed. I sure looks vintage to me and far from anything homemade to me. Jerry

Looks great. How did you make the bat wing emblem on the front? Did you hand paint it, or get a decal? I just bought and recovered a H & S record storage box-the original canvas covering was tattered and full of wrinkles and holes. Yours looks much better than mine!

Matt

Thanks!

The label is hand painted, I used a toothpick as a brush for the main lines and for the fine details I used a bent staple.

In another 75 years your record box will be driving some collector crazy!

Beautiful job!

George P.

phonogfp wrote:In another 75 years your record box will be driving some collector crazy!

Beautiful job!

George P.

That would be true, however I removed all mystery by signing and dating the box on the bottom.

Mike, this box is full of WOW! So very well designed and painstakingly crafted, and the record label on the front is just absolutely over the top! Before I read your explanation of how it got there, I had guessed that it was some kind of new-fangled transfer technique, or maybe good old-fashioned silkscreen -- but painting it on with the tools you used? Just the type of intensely focused, obsessive work that I respect, admire, and love to see. You've raised the humble record carrier to an art form with this one. Beautiful, impeccable work -- congratulations!

Michael, I am super impressed by your carpentry and artistic talents.

Thank you all, much appreciated!