The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was following this auction and had some questions about this machine. It looks like a typical Standard Model A, with the large spindle. However, it has a Royal Talking Machine ID plate on the front instead of the Standard decal. The Royal Talking Machines that I have seen have the larger case, fluted horn. and used a regular spindle. This one with the larger case was discussed on this forum. Also, it came out around 1915. Is there any relationship between the two machines?
Harvey Kravitz

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-1913-RO ... true&rt=nc

It might possibly be a Frankenphone of sorts, using a Standard spindle (and perhaps motor?) on a Royal case.

Since both brands were, I believe, manufactured by Columbia, that might be possible.

Bill

It looks like the back bracket was painted by a 3 year old - Something doesn't look quite right with this machine.

briankeith wrote:It looks like the back bracket was painted by a 3 year old - Something doesn't look quite right with this machine.

Actually, it looks like the gold paint was re-done by an 83 year old with a shaky hand...

I had some suspicions about that myself. I have a feeling it was a Standard Model A with the decal removed, and the Royal ID plate tacked on. It sure went high, though.
Harvey Kravitz

I also watched this eBay auction (Royal with repainted blue horn, crudely repainted back bracket, wrong corner columns???; etc. --- sold for $810.00 + $33.75 shipping), because I have a Royal Talking Machine like it. Below, are pictures of an unrestored Standard Talking Machine Model A (left) and an unrestored Royal (right) --- both have one or more loose or missing corner columns, and the Standard is missing the piston-style on/off speed control assembly in the hole on the cabinet front. Both of these machines came with identical, eight-panel, red with gold stripes, morning glory horns (removed for the pictures).

Comparing the two machines side by side, it is evident there are some differences (cabinet heights; tonearms; reproducers; back brackets; turntables; cranks; on/off and brake assemblies; etc.). I believe there is an old, original photo of a Royal model (with baby seated next to it) like this in one of the Fabrizio/Paul books.

Bob

I never realized that this model Royal actually had the larger style spindle, while the (later?) Royal with the larger case has a regular spindle. Just looked through all my pictures of examples and confirmed that. Never noticed it. I guess you don't see what you don't expect.

Thanks for sharing the comparison pictures.
Andreas

Thanks for posting these pictures. It sure answered my questions. I have seen examples of the Standard Model A in a taller case, similar to yours. It had the lever on top of the motor board, later back bracket, arm and reproducer. So my guess the late Standard Model A and this Royal are the same machine, but different tags and decals.
Harvey Kravitz