Anybody Want a Tin Foil Phonograph?

[JerryVan]

Here's your chance!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Edison-Type-Fr ... 1438.l2649

[CarlosV]

How can the provenance of such machine be assessed? There are multiple examples of modern-made copies, some of them of excellent quality.

[JerryVan]

How can the provenance of such machine be assessed? There are multiple examples of modern-made copies, some of them of excellent quality.

I figure the experts will know. I'm hoping a few of them chime in here. Certainly looks genuine to my eye, but don't anyone take that as an endorsement! Would have been nice of the seller to show details of the reproducer/recorder. Very interesting anyway.

[schweg]

Go to the APS webpage. Mr. Rondeau's book is on the site now. On page 96 a tinfoil phonograph like this one is documented.

The one I have is shown here. It has more decorative detailing but is also like the one being sold on Ebay. My vote is that it is authentic.

[TinfoilPhono]

It's the real deal, and the price is realistic.

This is a fairly well-known French model, of which around 20-25 are known to survive. I know of about half a dozen in the US, the rest in Europe. Unfortunately the manufacturer is a mystery. None of the machines were marked, and no catalogs or ads have yet been found. It has been reported that they were made in Lyon but that is speculative.

There are two versions of this machine. The earlier one, as shown in Schweg's post, has a speaker that swings out to the left. The later and more frequently seen version, as in the eBay listing, has a speaker which tilts forward. I know of one of the second style that is decorated with gilt rather than red striping.

Looking at the photos I suspect the wooden mouthpiece has been replaced. It looks a bit thicker than the original. That is not at all unusual with this machine. The original mouthpiece was lathe-turned and is very thin, and consequently very prone to cracking and splitting either from impact or environmental changes. Mine was damaged, as seen in the Breker auction catalog photo below. A generous friend who is a skilled machinist and woodworker used the precise dimensions of the original and created an exact (and I do mean exact!) replica for display (bottom photo). Of course I have kept the original since it's an important part of the history of this machine.

It is a very small machine -- 8" x 6" base and 2-⅝" mandrel. It does work, but obviously not as well as larger machines.

[TinfoilPhono]

Congratulations to the lucky new owner!

[JerryVan]

I didn't think it would take long!

[Jerry B.]

[gramophone-georg]

Did you?

[Jerry B.]

Yes, I bought it! I am thrilled! Jerry