The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Could someone please post a photo or photos of a ca. 1901 Eldridge Johnson 'Monarch', please? My wife wants to see what one looks like, and I don't have my F/P books with me. Thanks in advance!

Here are a couple:


This one has an extension added to the arm allowing for a longer horn.



Here is another in the background.

Thanks Sonny! I just picked up a really neat early 10"-only disc cabinet and an ERJ 'Monarch' would be the perfect machine for it. I can't post pictures of the cabinet from my iPhone and we only have dial-up at this motel (it is 2010, right? ). I'll post pictures when I get around some wifi.

No problem, John. These are not too common are they? I can only remember seeing one for sale since I have been in the hobby. Either way, I look forward to seeing the cabinet you bought. Sounds interesting.

This is my Eldridge Johnson Monarch. I believe it to be completely original. Compared to my other machines, I think of this as being somewhat of a historical artifact - rare and representative of ERJ's earliest work. As SonnyPhono points out, these machines are not commonly seen and rarely offered for sale. I would be interested to learn more about the history of these machines from some of our ERJ experts.

Wow! That is a beautiful example of an ERJ! It has perfect patina in my opinion. Not too much that is looks like it just came out of a barn, but enough to make you realize it's age. Thanks for sharing it.

Very nice, Greg! The last ERJ 'Monarch' I had, I traded for an oak Amberola I-A back in the late 1980's.

And also sold in Europe as

De-Luxe Monarch no. 9

The De-Luxe Monarch no. 9 even includes the split in the motor board.

Here are some photos of the record cabinet I picked up. It is very small -- only about 13" square -- and holds ninety-six 10" records. This, and the early styling and solid board construction of the sides and top lead me to believe that it dates close to the introduction of the 10" record by Eldridge Johnson in January 1901.

It will require some minor restoration and reassembly of the wooden record dividers which were all present, but had been disassembled and used to make additional shelves in the cabinet. The finish is original. Now I just need that ERJ 'Monarch' to adorn it!