The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This looks like one of the first multi-changer record contraptions... Or was it meant to play multiple records at the same time?

Probably a one-off showpiece.

Columbia made a similar "Multiplex Disc Machine" for the St. Louis World's Fair: it played four records at once (The only surviving evidence is a photo in Baumbach & Lackey's book).

Bill

This could be a "Triplephone" developed by the German branch of the Gramophone Company in 1904/5. It had three turntables stacked vertically on a single axis, mounted on a Monarch case and driven by a triple-spring motor.

The British version had three turntables on a T-shaped case, effectively three Junior Monarch cases joined together. Both versions were available in the UK for £25, but they were not a sales success.

I remember a few years ago on Ebay that similar machines were turning up regularly in the lair of rich old men in China. If I remember correctly, the prices weren't too bad either. The horns on those machines were a bit more ornate though.
Dave D

Yes, the existed and at least one example survives at a Museum in Finland.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... riplephone

Here is the patent drawing :

I believe these were the first DJ mixing boards

Thanks for all of the info... now to find one.

I'm sure that someone in India would be happy to find one for you - totally authentic of course.

Andreas