The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A friend was helping someone clean out a house and ran into a packet of receipts from Graves Music from 1914 into 1915. At first I assumed the receipts were for a Diamond Disc machine but they could be for a piano or another item sold by Graves. I have 22 receipts dating from January 19th, 1914 to November 1st, 1915. The receipts show a total of $315 towards principal and $22.58 in interest. I do not know if there was a down payment but my math says that the buyer was charged about 7.2% interest on the unpaid balance.

The first receipt shows what I believe is a Model A Home on the left. By 1914 a banner Home would have been long obsolete. Above the Home it says "Authorized Jobbers of Edison Phonographs." On the right is says "Everything in the line of Music - Direct Importers of Finest Foreign String and Band Instruments."

The first receipt showing an upright Edison was dated 12/01/14. On the left it says "Jobbers Edison Diamond Point Phonographs - The Disc Phonograph without a Needle." One the right is says "Everything in Music - Portland's Pioneer Music Dealers - Established 1895."

The very last receipt marked "paid in full" is the last variation of the receipts. On the left it says "Victrolas, Grafonolas, and Edison Diamond Point Phonographs - The Disc Phonograph without a Needle." The fact that the receipt mentions Victrolas and Grafonolas indicates that the agreement between Graves Music and the Edison Company was weakening and starting to break down.

Isn't it nice that people saved stuff like these receipts. And isn't it nice that friends think of us when they see something that we enjoy.

Jerry Blais

Jerry, a nice find. I look forward to seeing them. My Edison Standard A came with a Graves Music dealer tag attached to the front. I have kept the machine because of the tag.

Wow...what a eclectic find. It's nice that this small piece of history survives. Definately a must have if you collect paper. Be sure to get it into acid free sleeves to preserve.

Cool find, but the 11/4/14 and 11/1/15 receipts you show aren't that old. They were just printed 4 and 5 years ago.

travisgreyfox wrote:Cool find, but the 11/4/14 and 11/1/15 receipts you show aren't that old. They were just printed 4 and 5 years ago.

What makes you think that? This was a real store in Portland, Oregon 100+ years ago.

What makes you think that? This was a real store in Portland, Oregon 100+ years ago.

It was a dash of phono-nerd humor. Look at the dates. They are just over one hundred years ago.

Jerry B.

A pity. Wouldn't it be nice to go to a high-end audio shop and the clerk be like--"For our latest Re-Creations step this way. I'll wind up the listening booth."