Flea Market Lambert surprise

[Sidewinder]

Been waiting a long time to stumble over one of these. These were the fall back position of the English gramophone company from December 1900-1904, in case the talking machine fad did not pan out.

here a good video of how it functioned
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ8hMERlqSY

Actually more like a tapewriter than a typewriter!

[Lucius1958]

Invented by Frank Lambert, too: the creator of what was, until a few years ago, the world's oldest playable recording...
http://www.tinfoil.com/cm-0101.htm

Bill

[VintageTechnologies]

I read the typewriter was a flop and now I see why. A good thing for G&T that the gramophone succeeded.

[phonogfp]

Invented by Frank Lambert, too: the creator of what was, until a few years ago, the world's oldest playable recording...
http://www.tinfoil.com/cm-0101.htm

Bill

Actually, it cannot be determined whether the extant Lambert phonograph is the original "1878" device (Lambert himself claimed 1879), or a copy made in 1896. Frank Lambert's entire original testimony (not the abridged version offered in the APM article) may be read here:

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0429.jpg

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0430.jpg

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0431.jpg

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0432.jpg

Note particularly Lambert's answers to Question 39 and Question 40.

George P.

[Sidewinder]

I see on the web there seems to be a consensus that the first patent was in 1884 and it came to market in 1896. The ones marketed during the Gramophone & Typewriter alliance had the recording angel logo on the carriage.

[Starkton]

I see on the web there seems to be a consensus that the first patent was in 1884 and it came to market in 1896.

The Lambert typewriter as we know it today was only patented on February 11, 1902 (U.S. Patent 693,278), application filed December 12, 1901, and marketed from late 1901. In late January 1905, Sidney Hebert of Dieppe bought the rights for Europe, the entire stock of unsold typewriters and the machinery from the G&T Ltd. in London. Hebert still sold these typewriters in 1923!

Some 10,000 were manufactured with G&T logo (Writing Angel). What is the serial number of your machine?

[Lucius1958]

Invented by Frank Lambert, too: the creator of what was, until a few years ago, the world's oldest playable recording...
http://www.tinfoil.com/cm-0101.htm

Bill

Actually, it cannot be determined whether the extant Lambert phonograph is the original "1878" device (Lambert himself claimed 1879), or a copy made in 1896. Frank Lambert's entire original testimony (not the abridged version offered in the APM article) may be read here:

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0429.jpg

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0430.jpg

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0431.jpg

http://edison.rutgers.edu/images/el/el0432.jpg

Note particularly Lambert's answers to Question 39 and Question 40.

George P.

Interesting.

Bill

[Steve]

A flea market find? No Way!

I used to own one of these which I purchased from a UK dealer (the one who uses 200 yards of brown parcel tape to "protect" items in the post - you know the one!)for about £600. The carrying case arrived in several pieces but nothing which couldn't be carefully re-assembled and glued back together. I tidied it up, replaced the replacement carrying handle with something more appropriate and there it stood proudly in my collection for about 6 years. Then one day I realised that it didn't play any tunes and I didn't need it for typing letters so I decided to sell it on. To my great surprise, not only did I manage to return my initial outlay but I also made a considerable profit on top. A gentleman travelled all the way from Italy just to collect it too! These machines are very highly sought after and an excellent original example complete with either leather or oak carrying case and accessories must be worth £1000 ($1500) or more today?

I wish our flea markets offered treasures as good as this. We're more likely to find a £5 portable Olivetti priced at £25 here!

Congratulations, Sidewinder.

[Starkton]

Talking of rare typewriters. Try to locate this treasure (only 10 are known):

[Sidewinder]

I see on the web there seems to be a consensus that the first patent was in 1884 and it came to market in 1896.

The Lambert typewriter as we know it today was only patented on February 11, 1902 (U.S. Patent 693,278), application filed December 12, 1901, and marketed from late 1901. In late January 1905, Sidney Hebert of Dieppe bought the rights for Europe, the entire stock of unsold typewriters and the machinery from the G&T Ltd. in London. Hebert still sold these typewriters in 1923!

Some 10,000 were manufactured with G&T logo (Writing Angel). What is the serial number of your machine?

Where do I find the serial number? I see a lot of Patent dates, the last in 1900. Also is engraved on the nickel strip.. Gramophone & Typewriter Co. London-Paris-Berlin.