The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is something slightly different....the Apollon bamboo needle cutter and needles supplied from Japan. I picked this up recently on eBay (Australia) and I have to say the cutter is excellent. It is also interesting to note that the attractive tin came complete with perforated inner base plate which presumably originally covered silica gel crystals or similar desiccant ? This is a quality aspect I have never seen supplied direct from a manufacturer. The description of the cutter on the reverse side of the packet includes the usual hilarious use of pigeon English---essential to employ the "hardest ribet" ! However, our Japanese friends have the last laugh by including all instructions in their own language. These appear to be printed on rice-paper which has proved very tasty to moths !

Wow, that's an amazing survivor. Great set. Thanks for sharing.

Andreas

That's interesting, and the instructions sheet shows it being sold contemporary to electrical tonearms (from the 40's?). I suppose by the 40's bamboo needles were relics elsewhere - although miniature thorn needles were sold in England, supposedly to be used in electrical pickups.

Yes, it is fascinating to see the earlier and later technology together in one advertisement isn't it ? I suppose there were still some parts of the world where electricity was rare or difficult so the option might have been welcome ? Also, the use of rice-paper points to economy of materials during difficult times. Ephemera so often affords interesting insights into history.