The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am wanting to know what used to be in this hole where the sound box rests. What part if any is missing from this Venus Belle. Hoping for photos of part. I will provide a few photos so you can see what I am talking about.

Your Venus-Belle is quite beautiful. Congratulations for finding such a rare and wonderful phonograph.

Just an educated guess but I suspect it's a shallow round tin about the size of the needle cups that is filled with felt. I hope someone can provide definitive proof. I'd love to see a photo of the whole machine from the front. It's a very attractive machine. Jerry Blais

Neil,

I agree with Jerry... It looks like the spot for a "needle rest", where you set the reproducer down with the needle attached. It seems to line up with your reproducer...

Where did you find this? It a great machine and I'm surprised that you still have room for it...

Curt, I made room. I actually gave away a few machines so I could 'upgrade' to what I thought were better machines. My neighbors love their new machines as do their children so perhaps we'll get a few new young collectors.

Good for you... passing this addiction on to unsuspecting new victims...

I thought since it is behind the sound box that maybe there might have been something to hold the arm in place. Right now it moves freely with no restriction.