A Duophone on Ebay !

[12jslater]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Duophone ... 1714630195

I wonder how much this will god for ?

[Panatropia]

Poor thing. It's had a rough life.

[Dave]

A very interesting reproducer arrangement...
Here's a better close-up pic.

[Curt A]

Interesting machine... if it weren't overseas, I would bid on it. It looks like it should have been called a "Reverb-O-Phone"

[Henry]

Poor thing. It's had a rough life.

Oh, I dunno, the motor looks quite clean and well cared for, the cabinet could be brought back with some TLC, and with a new felt on the turntable---viola! [sic], you've got yourself a unique piece there.

[epigramophone]

Patented in 1921, the theory of the Duophone was that one soundbox handled the high frequencies and the other soundbox the low ones, but as the two tubes of the tonearm entered a single horn it is doubtful whether the system was any real improvement over more conventional machines.

Some Duophones featured a knob on the front of the case which operated the turntable brake and simultaneously lifted the soundbox assembly from the record, a nice party trick with which to impress one's friends.

In late 1925 Duophone began producing records and in 1927 gramophone production ceased, the entire remaining stock of machines being bought by Harrod's at half price. Faced with falling sales and rising debts, Duophone went into voluntary liquidation in 1929. Their recording and pressing facilities were acquired by Decca.

[CarlosV]

This one seems to have a lightbulb fitted on it, wires and knob are apparent in the photos. The cabinet resembles a Columbia with its louvers, as well as the motor. I am no specialist on such machines, but it is strange to see such louvers in a non-Columbia brand.

[Panatropia]

Poor thing. It's had a rough life.

Oh, I dunno, the motor looks quite clean and well cared for, the cabinet could be brought back with some TLC, and with a new felt on the turntable---viola! [sic], you've got yourself a unique piece there.

The damage on the case would be a challenge for most.

[Dave]

Patented in 1921, the theory of the Duophone was that one soundbox handled the high frequencies and the other soundbox the low ones, but as the two tubes of the tonearm entered a single horn it is doubtful whether the system was any real improvement over more conventional machines.

Some Duophones featured a knob on the front of the case which operated the turntable brake and simultaneously lifted the soundbox assembly from the record, a nice party trick with which to impress one's friends.

In late 1925 Duophone began producing records and in 1927 gramophone production ceased, the entire remaining stock of machines being bought by Harrod's at half price. Faced with falling sales and rising debts, Duophone went into voluntary liquidation in 1929. Their recording and pressing facilities were acquired by Decca.

Duophone record label showing the twin reproducer....

[Henry]

This one seems to have a lightbulb fitted on it, wires and knob are apparent in the photos. The cabinet resembles a Columbia with its louvers, as well as the motor. I am no specialist on such machines, but it is strange to see such louvers in a non-Columbia brand.

The knob in the upper left corner of the turntable compartment apparently incorporates an on-off lever switch for the light, judging from the wire routing.

As for the finish, the scrapes and dings could be touched up with matching pigments, and that lid crack filled with a mixture of powdered wood putty and carpenter's glue, tinted to match. Overall, though, this is a case that would merit a total refinish job, IMO.