The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Somebody jump in with an interesting phonograph! If not, I have a pretty nice VV-90 Victrola I could show you all. It has the original needle in it and is cherry too!

How about a European cylinder machine?

Okay, I'll repost a machine that I had up at the old, old place...

Make: Excelsior Werke Cöln (EWC), Germany
Model: Excelsior (Model XIV successor?)
Serial # none
Year(s) Made: 1903-06
Original Cost: unknown
Case/Cabinet Size: 9.8" x 7.1" x 6.3" (lid w/o handle)
Turntable/Mandrel: 5" length
Reproducer/Sound-Box: EWC aluminum floating reproducer
Motor: Single Spring
Horn Dimensions: none, possibly equipped with 12" aluminum bell
Reproduction Parts: none
Current Value: ca. $650 with orig. horn (Not necessarily this machine)
Interesting Facts: Excelsior was one of the most popular cylinder phonograph brands in Germany - beside Edison and Columbia, of course. Although the motor is very simple and small it does run quite steady, like a well-adjusted Columbia Eagle or Q. The single spring provides enough playback time for just one (2-minute) cylinder.

Favorite Characteristics: Its small size and low weight provide a high mobility.

I took the video last year just after I had the reproducer restored:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDto-CVsnt4[/youtube]

Norman,

That's really a pretty machine. The condition is excellent and the decal is especially attractive. Do you have any literature on them which you could also post? I suppose it would have had a small amuminium horn?

Thanks for posting. Some of use came after the demise of the old board so it's especially interesting and new for us.

Regards,
Bruce

Norman,

Thanks for posting a good one! It's both interesting and pleasing to the eye. I would also be interested in some literature on this one. Anyone have anything on it?

Norman,

Thanks so much for re-posting it, it's certainly worth another look-see. I remember discussing that beautiful Art Nouveau decal.

Regards,
John

I wish I could take better pictures but did not have my Nikon then. The machine was in for repair when I took the first two pictures with my old cam then. I am sorry to say but I don't have any literature reference to this machine. The most important information about these Excelsior style machines came from Jean Paul Agnard's website.

Excelsior did make these machines in different styles with changing the winding key to a crank, striping and cases. This model has a case while others came with a wooden base under the bed plate and a lid. Apparently they supplied other brands with their machines too, such as Gloria where I found a clear a picture of an Excelsior machine on their cylinder boxes.

That's a very nice machine, Norman.

Paul

Norman, you could put up another European machine if you like. I think they're fascinating.

Jim