Starr-Gennett info needed for new RJ Wakeman book!
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 12:06 am
I recently received a note from the esteemed RJ Wakeman, author of several phonograph-related books, with which some of you may be familiar. He could really use our help. Here’s what he says:
“I am mainly writing for your advice—or help. I've come to an impasse with my research for the Starr phonographs/Gennett records book that I have been researching and writing...I badly need to purchase, borrow, obtain photocopies, or scanned images from original Starr-Gennett literature items, especially phonograph and record catalogs. For some reason, the Starr Piano Company did not widely advertise in early magazines and journals. No one I know has any Starr phonograph catalogs. Still-existing Starr phonographs are rare enough; I have only ever seen three in my years of collecting...The only images of the Starr phonograph models I have thus far found are from the Talking Machine World, and most of the photogravure black and white images in this journal are none too sharp. Starr even made a simple upright floor model which they called Style ¾. They also made a Style ½; it was a table model.
The only image I have of a Starr Isosonic model is from the back cover of one of the TMW issues. The (acoustic) Isosonic models were designed to play the early electrically recorded records. I do not know of any collector who has ever seen or heard one of the Isosonic models; they must be very rare. I have found no evidence that Starr attempted to produce all-electric models in the late 1920's: that would have meant wires and a lot of electronic components.”
So, there you have it. Who can help?
The Starr machines I’ve seen have lovely blonde wood internal horns and well-made cabinets, and robust well-made motors. And of course we all know about the extraordinary Gennett records. The book is worth supporting, so please see what you may have to share with Mr Wakeman to help.
He’s not online so if you don’t mind posting responses here, or by sending me PMs, it would be best, please. Thanks!
“I am mainly writing for your advice—or help. I've come to an impasse with my research for the Starr phonographs/Gennett records book that I have been researching and writing...I badly need to purchase, borrow, obtain photocopies, or scanned images from original Starr-Gennett literature items, especially phonograph and record catalogs. For some reason, the Starr Piano Company did not widely advertise in early magazines and journals. No one I know has any Starr phonograph catalogs. Still-existing Starr phonographs are rare enough; I have only ever seen three in my years of collecting...The only images of the Starr phonograph models I have thus far found are from the Talking Machine World, and most of the photogravure black and white images in this journal are none too sharp. Starr even made a simple upright floor model which they called Style ¾. They also made a Style ½; it was a table model.
The only image I have of a Starr Isosonic model is from the back cover of one of the TMW issues. The (acoustic) Isosonic models were designed to play the early electrically recorded records. I do not know of any collector who has ever seen or heard one of the Isosonic models; they must be very rare. I have found no evidence that Starr attempted to produce all-electric models in the late 1920's: that would have meant wires and a lot of electronic components.”
So, there you have it. Who can help?
The Starr machines I’ve seen have lovely blonde wood internal horns and well-made cabinets, and robust well-made motors. And of course we all know about the extraordinary Gennett records. The book is worth supporting, so please see what you may have to share with Mr Wakeman to help.
He’s not online so if you don’t mind posting responses here, or by sending me PMs, it would be best, please. Thanks!
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