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Can I date my Sonora by the serial number?
Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:12 pm
by ckranske
How do I date my Sonora Talking Machine? It has a Instrument No. A 752771 D
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Re: Can I date my Sonora by the serial number?
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 5:28 pm
by hillndalefan
That's a beautiful example of Sonora's work!
The only way I know of dating it would be to find an ad for it in a magazine.
Tim Gracyk's books of information from the old "Talking Machine World" and other trade periodicals may have that model displayed, giving you a possible date. I don't believe the serial number records from the old Sonora Chime Co. exist for us to check anymore. Their motto, even when they made talking machines was, "Clear as a Bell". They made records in the 1940s, many years after I believe they quit making phonographs.