The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Interesting crank. Never heard of this machine...

https://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/a ... 20162.html


Bill K

"Does not work." Looks like the crank is slipped into the hole and tilted back so it won't fall out. I would assume there is no shaft on the motor to screw it onto. Or maybe the owner has no idea how to attach it.

Looks like someone has given it a thick coat of varnish in a misguided attempt to smarten it up.

Academy was the brand name of the Johnson Talking Machine Company, a British firm which had no connection with Eldridge R. Johnson of Victor fame. They are common enough in the UK, but there cannot be many in the USA.

Or it could be that stuff Home Depot sells called Rejuvinate - it is designed to go over the original (cleaned) wood finish to make it nice & shiny again - actually too shiny. It is really used on wood floors but some people use it on cabinets, furniture, etc.....

epigramophone wrote:Looks like someone has given it a thick coat of varnish in a misguided attempt to smarten it up.

Academy was the brand name of the Johnson Talking Machine Company, a British firm which had no connection with Eldridge R. Johnson of Victor fame. They are common enough in the UK, but there cannot be many in the USA.

Their cabinet models turn up occasionally- a lot of oak console model gramophones - many with "Barley Twist" legs - were shipped over here in container load lots of UK antiques (and old junk) while there was a craze for Oak furniture.

briankeith wrote:Or it could be that stuff Home Depot sells called Rejuvinate - it is designed to go over the original (cleaned) wood finish to make it nice & shiny again - actually too shiny. It is really used on wood floors but some people use it on cabinets, furniture, etc.....

"Urethane based"

Nasty stuff.