The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Of all the phonographs, the early Hand-Driven Phonographs have always been my favorite. I have always found their primitive elegance and simplicity captivating. They are unquestionably the most cherished phonographs in my collection.

Mike

Yikes, an amazing collection!

James.

I only have one. Maybe you can tell me something about it?
It looks like they made several variations over the short span.

Skihawx wrote:I only have one. Maybe you can tell me something about it?
It looks like they made several variations over the short ‘Berliner Gramophone Co’ which is the later version or span.

That is a great example of the 7” Hand Driven Berliner Gramophone dating from around 1896. I suspect the metal tag would either say ‘United States Gramophone Co’ which is the rarer and earliest version or the more commonly seen ‘Berliner Gramophone Co’ which is the later version. The latest version did not have a metal ID tag but a Berliner decal and featured the Berliner-Clark slip clutch to help with speed regulation. The Hand Driven Berliner marked Berliner’s entrance into the US phonograph market. With this machine Berliner introduced the 7 inch record format that would be the standard for the next 12 years. Thanks for sharing your beautiful example.

Mike

What a great line up Mike. Here are my two. My Berliner Gramophone Philadelphia came from a museum and was originally owned by a Hurdy Gurdy dancer. Years ago, a 1950's post card came on Ebay showing my machine while in the museum. It is nice to have with the machine.

gramophone78 wrote:What a great line up Mike. Here are my two. My Berliner Gramophone Philadelphia came from a museum and was originally owned by a Hurty Gurty dancer. Years ago, a 1950's post card came on Ebay showing my machine while in the museum. It is nice to have with the machine.

1895 Berliner Hand Wind (7).JPG

1895 Berliner Hand-Wind In the Museum 1950's.JPG

K&R Grammophon (2).JPG

Wayne,
That is a beautiful example of the 7 “ Berliner. It is awesome to have such great provenance. That always adds so much to the machine. I recognize that K&R LOL- a great piece that is especially dear to my heart. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

Mike, It's nice to see all of your hand wind machines together.
Seeing the other examples, also makes me just a bit jealous...

Mike, it's not often one can trace a very early machine back to it's original owner. I would like to think she is one of these fine gals that came over from Germany in the 1860's to entertain the gold seekers in this first photo (circa 1860)....however, I could never substantiate this. I was able to find one photo of her near the end of her life. She married a hotel owner and moved South to opened and run a coach house (seen circa 1920) which later burned to the ground in the early 1940's. Thankfully, the family had already donated many items before that fire.

gramophone78 wrote:Mike, it's not often one can trace a very early machine back to it's original owner. I would like to think she is one of these fine gals that came over from Germany in the 1860's to entertain the gold seekers in this first photo (circa 1860)....however, I could never substantiate this. I was able to find one photo of her near the end of her life. She married a hotel owner and moved South to opened and run a coach house (seen circa 1920) which later burned to the ground in the early 1940's. Thankfully, the family had already donated many items before that fire.

Hurdy Gurdy Dancers.png

Kathrine.jpg

20 Mile House.JPG

Wayne,
That is great stuff!
Mike

Maybe....Someday...I hope to own maybe one. Wonderful collection Mike!!