The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Normally this eBay seller seems to have good stuff, but this listing has me puzzled... He claims it is a RARE unseen model of Emerson phonograph, but it sure looks like a frankenphone...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Emerson-Outside ... 0964246015

Perfectly legitimate. See The Talking Machine Compendium, page 216, Fig. 6-16.

George P.

Yes, an Emerson----should be a decal or celluloid tag on the door. Hard to find a reproducer that isn't broken or that has Emerson still on the casting-----Emerson was sanded or ground off the reproducers and the lift door changed when the machines were sold or given away as premiums----- with no Emerson affiliation. The $3 dollar Emerson can be viewed ----usually seen if you search Emerson ads.

Quite genuine- depending on how you place the horn on the support the reproducer can be angled to play lateral discs, Emerson's "Universal cut" discs, and vertical cut discs. These are uncommon as it was quite easy for pieces to get lost or broken.

Thanks for the replies and clearing this up... even though it's legit, it still looks like something made from spare parts... the cabinet is very crudely made and looks like it was cut with a hand saw. Also, RARE must not equate with desirable, since it is priced at $699 and no one has bought it...

Curt A wrote:Thanks for the replies and clearing this up... even though it's legit, it still looks like something made from spare parts... the cabinet is very crudely made and looks like it was cut with a hand saw.

The crude, unsophisticated nature of the Emerson machine is explained by its original price: $3!

These sleeves for 6" and 7" Emerson Records show the machine. Note the ink stamp on the 7" sleeve that states, "THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE PHONOGRAPHS HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED." (I have another sleeve around here with a bolder ink stamp, but this one easily came to hand...)

George P.

Thanks for posting those pics... I have never seen one of those record sleeves.

This is a completely original, correct machine. The price of $699.00 is a good price. So far, I have only seen 2 of these for sale. Several years ago at the OTAPS show in Salem OR, one sold for $850.00 five minutes after it was put on the seller's table. The seller, Phonodoll is a great and honest seller. I have bought from him for many years, and always had good dealings with him. If there is a problem, he will make things right.
Harvey Kravitz