The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

For a short time between late 1897 and mid-1899 the Hawthorne & Sheble Co. offered simple rectangular wooden cases to house the basic uncased $10 Columbia Type B "Eagle" Graphophone. As far as I know, no advertisements or catalogs exist showing this case so the original cost is unknown. Presumably it was well under the $2 extra that Columbia charged for cased Eagles with the familiar domed lid and Graphophone ribbon decal. It's also unclear whether H&S sold the complete unit, with Graphophone mounted, or an empty case for owners of uncased Eagles to install themselves. (Or both.)

I know of four such H&S Eagles but I'm sure there must be more, so I'm hoping that others who have examples will chime in here with photos. And I'd love to know if anyone does any any original advertising for these.

That's a cool H&S case, Rene!

I could have sworn I had some advertising on this, but it was all on the H&S cases for the Edison Gem.

Columbia's stopping $10 Eagle production in 1899 made the market for these cases of short duration.

I'd love to have one of these someday - - congratulations!

George P.

Rene',
I have an example pictured below. I don't know if it is one of your 4 known. Purchased at Stanton's several years ago. The mechanism has no serial number on the machine or belt cover. I love mine...
Gregg Cline

Very nice Gregg. I also like the table it sits on!

Very nice example, Gregg! Yours is one of the four I'm aware of. I'm curious whether anyone can add to the census.

Rene',

Sorry for the delay in responding. Here is mine. Serial number on the gear cover. Super cool machines and definitely under documented!!

Shawn

Rene'

And here's mine for posterity (which you have seen in person). Serial number on the belt cover. I assume these are the four you were thinking of. Let us know if there are others.

PS I got mine with no horn. Added the seamless brass horn. I like the combo.

-Mark