The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have recently taken an interest in the concealed horn phonograph cabinets, having two (Mahogany and Oak)of the Herzog Concealed Horn Cabinets #835. I was aware of two models of a Salter Concealed Horn Cabinet because of the ads for them in The Talking Machine World of 1908 and 1909.I do not believe that these cabinets were made past 1909, for I can find no further ads for them past that date. I believe that the introduction of the internal horn Victrola prompted their end. While I was aware of the fact that Salter did produce such a cabinet, I had never seen one, or even heard of one in someone's collection. Well, much to my surprise I recently stumbled on one. It was very dirty, had some very small veneer chips, and needed some re-gluing of some loose joints. It was also missing the "sliding record rack" that was shown in the ad. I have shown two views of the cabinet that came from a Salter Catalog that Shawn from the Forum has reproduced. The catalogs and literature that he makes is such good reference material, no one should be without them. I have shown all 4 sides of the cabinet,they made it so that it was finished on all sides. I have a Yankee Prince phonograph in the cabinet, and the horn lines up very well with the painted screen that is with the cabinet.As I said, it is missing the record rack. I can reproduce the rack, but it is hard to see much detail from the line drawing in the catalog. I am hoping that there is indeed another cabinet out there, either this one or it's big brother(cabinet #741). I am sure that the sliding record rack is the same in each model. If anyone out there has either one of these or knows of one, please let me know. Sorry for some of the blurry pictures. Thanks alot .

Hi Bill,
What a stunning cabinet. I have 2 (cylinder,disc) of the Herzog cabinets, but I have never seen the Salter one. Congrats on a great find. Stan (Portland)

The value of knowledge!!!!

Congratulations Bill!!!!!!

Shawn

That is an absolutely STUNNING cabinet.

I have a question though (and I apologize if this seems like a stupid question).

Why would you want your phonograph inside the cabinet all the time? Is there a benefit to having it inside as opposed to have it sit on top? (I suppose besides that fact that it will stay very clean).

David

WOW!!!! Thanks for sharing. I have never seen a Salter cabinet like this. Congrats!!!!

It looks fantastic! What a find.

The ad says it's only 4' tall, that puts the crank about 2' off the floor, ouch.

James.

dzavracky wrote:Why would you want your phonograph inside the cabinet all the time? Is there a benefit to having it inside as opposed to have it sit on top? (I suppose besides that fact that it will stay very clean).

David,

A number of people in the early 20th century thought that external horn talking machines were ugly and had no place among fine furnishings. That's why the Victrola was such a big hit, even though its sonic performance was less than that of its external horn predecessors.

These cabinets allowed the owner to hide that ugly machine. It's a bit like those old TVs of the late 1940s and early 50s that had doors covering the picture tube. I personally think huge, black flat HD TV screens are ugly too, but we seem to be stuck with those.

AZ* wrote:

dzavracky wrote:Why would you want your phonograph inside the cabinet all the time? Is there a benefit to having it inside as opposed to have it sit on top? (I suppose besides that fact that it will stay very clean).

David,

A number of people in the early 20th century thought that external horn talking machines were ugly and had no place among fine furnishings. That's why the Victrola was such a big hit, even though its sonic performance was less than that of its external horn predecessors.

These cabinets allowed the owner to hide that ugly machine. It's a bit like those old TVs of the late 1940s and early 50s that had doors covering the picture tube. I personally think huge, black flat HD TV screens are ugly too, but we seem to be stuck with those.

Ah..... I couldn’t imagine wanting mine in a cabinet! Unless of course I had this beautiful cabinet

Cheers

David

Bill,
Looks like your old "luck" struck again!

Fantastic find, thanks for sharing, we think this is one of the coolest cabinets yet,

never have seen another.

CONGRATULATIONS!

David & Lerria in Dallas

That is a beauty - congratulations! Did the people you bought it from use it for some alternative purpose (TV cabinet for instance)? Or did another phono person have it?