The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi folks,

After realizing that American Graphophone Types A, AA, and N (there may be others?) bedplates were supplied with 4 seemingly unused holes (2 through the bedplate extending down into the cabinet, and 2 tapped holes with screws), I learned that the holes were to have been used for mounting a "Crescent Reservoir" accessory for providing additional listening tubes to the owner for exhibition purposes.

I've been wondering for quite some time now if this accessory survives in anyone's collection, and if so do you have pictures of one that you might share with me?

Fabrizio/Paul show a "picture postcard" image of a Type "N" setup with one installed in A World Of Antique Phonographs (pg. 32), and it's shown in various Columbia/American Graphophone Co. brochures. It seems the only version offered carried 11 "tubes" for connecting 11 "Hearing Tubes", and was available for $7.50. Additional tubes could be added for $.50 each.

I'd like to understand more about this accessory, i.e. dimensions, construction, &c.

Thank you all,
Fran

fran604g wrote: I'd like to understand more about this accessory, i.e. dimensions, construction, &c.

I'd like to own one!

George P.

I missed out on one that was on eBay about 15 or more years ago. Bummer. I have no idea who ended up with it.

Here it is, but not the one that Rene missed!

This and other items will be featured in an 2017 "I Saw It In The Catalog" article on Accessories in the Antique Phonograph Monthly.

Shawn

Thank you, Shawn! That's really wonderful!

Best,
Fran

Very nice!

George P.

Current APS Members would be able to take advantage of the Searchable Knowledgebase on the APS Website and search for the phrase "Crescent Reservoir" and quickly locate an article by George Paul in the 2015 December issue of The Antique Phonograph, in which he references a blurb in the 1896 issue of the Phonoscope. In part, the Phonoscope article referenced the versatility of the Universal Graphophone with the optional Crescent Reservoir, offering 11 listening ports.

rodpickett wrote:Current APS Members would be able to take advantage of the Searchable Knowledgebase on the APS Website and search for the phrase "Crescent Reservoir" and quickly locate an article by George Paul in the 2015 December issue of The Antique Phonograph, in which he references a blurb in the 1896 issue of the Phonoscope. In part, the Phonoscope article referenced the versatility of the Universal Graphophone with the optional Crescent Reservoir, offering 11 listening ports.

Hi Rod,

You're absolutely correct. In fact, I searched for the accessory and noted that article yesterday. The new APS searchable knowledgebase is a powerful tool for researching topics.

Best,
Fran