The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It was a great warm and sunny day here in New Jersey making it perfect flea market and antique shop weather. I visited one of my local shops and I first saw about 5 Edison 2 minute wax boxes with lids and I picked each of them up and could feel they were each empty. So I was beginning to feel disappointment when I saw on the floor next to me a victor talking machine company fire alarm box with about 10 original peeling factory coats of paint on it. The shop was busy so I blocked the item from view and patiently waited until the owner was available. At first he said " darn I meant to put that behind the counter " but he gave me a price and I gladly took it home with me. He knew i collected phonographs but never made the connection with this fire related item. The amazing thing is that it is box #17 and the location list starts with the number 12. Thanks go to Joan and Robin Rolf who sent me a copy of the factory list of fire box locations. This was originally in building 24 and was made in 1908. I hope everyone else had a great weekend and yes there are still treasures to be found. Steve

All I can say is wow. What a great find!

-Steve

Great find. Congratulations! Jerry Blais

I can't wait to see what's under all those coats of paint.
The little dog and talking machine should pop out nicely.

Thanks for sharing it,
James.

Jerry B. wrote:Great find. Congratulations! Jerry Blais

Quite right. I never would have thought such an artifact would have survived.

That's very nice! Don't break that glass rod!!! Post a pic when you clean it up!!!

Congratulation! The only other one I have seen is in the Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover, DE. Great find!

Andreas

Geez, that's a lot of old paint. I'm guessing a good bead or soda blasting would clean it up nicely. Interesting find!

Is it pot metal?

Henry wrote:Is it pot metal?

Cast Iron and Brass