The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was reading that the painter of the Nipper was first offered to Edison? The most recognizable trademark in the world could have looked like this. Of course I have been playing with Photoshop again.

Here is the original, which The Gramophone Company agreed to purchase provided that Francis Barraud painted out the phonograph and substituted the then current model of the gramophone. The price paid was £100, £50 for the painting and £50 for the copyright. A wise investment indeed!

What kind of machine is that pictured with Nipper?

Amberola wrote:What kind of machine is that pictured with Nipper?

That's an Edison Class C or "Commercial" Phonograph. There's a photo of one in The Talking Machine Compendium on page 26, Fig. 1-37. The "Commercial" was offered by Edison-Bell in Britain, although the machines were manufactured in West Orange. Two versions are known, reportedly introduced in 1891 and 1893 respectively. This machine was an improvement over the Class M in several respects, including the positioning of the electric motor directly beneath the upper works.

George P.

I've always wondered if a wood horn, similar to Bettini's, is pictured.

Amberola wrote:I was reading that the painter of the Nipper was first offered to Edison? The most recognizable trademark in the world could have looked like this. Of course I have been playing with Photoshop again.

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The original painting was rejected by the head of Edison's agency in London, with (as I recall) this summary judgement:

"Dogs don't listen to phonographs."

Bill

My dogs do. Sarge, the Shepard will howl when I play anything by Watson. He loves the Yodeling. Here they are while I was playing a record.