The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Anyone familiar with this horn support? It is adjustable to fit I presume an Edison Standard. I'm sure the long support rod does not go with this although is grooved and has a hole at the end. The rod has a small pin at the first bend which probably fit in a notch which is not present on this piece. Thanks

That's a Tea Tray Company No.228 crane base. You're right in stating that the upper rod is not original to it. The complete crane originally sold for only $1.25.

An article on all the Tea Tray Co. horn cranes appeared in the Sept. 2011 issue of The Sound Box (now The Antique Phonograph). They're nicely designed.

George P.

I will send you a picture of the set up Monday as I am not a my other house with my Edison gear. The mount goes under the machine. The adjusting screw in the front can be moved with a screw on the bottom that better sizes it up to the case Turn it over to see the screw holes to make the adjustments.. It is a nice set up but the rod you have lacks a part or is incorrect. Tom B

The Tea Tray No.228 and the No.200 were illustrated on the cover of the September 1906 issue of The Talking Machine World. (Click on the images to enlarge for detail.) The stabilizing foot of the No. 200 was nickel-plated, while the entire base of the No.228 was painted black. Note the different upper support designs. Another popular Tea Tray crane was the No.20, shown here from an ad in the May 1906 issue of The Talking Machine World. The base of the No.20 was painted black with some simple gilt decoration. Note too the upper support design, which differs from the two above. (It's a rare collector who keeps his Tea Tray cranes properly configured!)
There were other Tea Tray cranes too (plus floor stands), but these are the three models most commonly encountered.
George P.

Thanks for all that info unlikely I'll ever stumble across the correct rod. Have a good weekend.....


Bill K

tomb wrote:I will send you a picture of the set up Monday as I am not a my other house with my Edison gear. The mount goes under the machine. The adjusting screw in the front can be moved with a screw on the bottom that better sizes it up to the case Turn it over to see the screw holes to make the adjustments.. It is a nice set up but the rod you have lacks a part or is incorrect. Tom B

The piece has the screw holes and screw. Look forward to your photo. Thanks


Bill K

I believe I saw a support on E Bay for around $190.00 I could not sleep last nite, It is pricy so shop around. You might be able to locate one for around $100. Good luck. Check under Edison cranes. Tom B

Here are some pics of mine I recently purchased. I got it for around $100.00 but it needs a lot of work. I have to get the eye screws, clean it up, do some minor welding and a little painting. Just keep looking and you will come across one. My base looks like your base.

tomb wrote:reward from wife for buying cheap crane

tomb wrote:Here are some pics of mine I recently purchased. I got it for around $100.00 but it needs a lot of work. I have to get the eye screws, clean it up, do some minor welding and a little painting. Just keep looking and you will come across one. My base looks like your base.

Looking at the reward I'd be out buying like crazy, never know where it may lead....

Bill K