The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Fellow collectors -

I am preparing an article on the Improved Gramophone (1897-1900) also known as the “Trademark” model and would very much appreciate some input from other collectors who may own one of these machines.

I have prepared a short survey detailing some of the changes over their 3 year production life, and if you can take a few moments to answer the survey questions, it would be a huge help.

You may either send me a PM, or post your answers directly to the forum. All replies sent via PM will remain strictly confidential. Simply list the numbers 1 to 8 with the appropriate letter or serial number after each.

Due to the rarity, collectibility and value of these machines, many parts have been swapped or replaced (with reproductions or parts from other machines). If you know of any such modifications to your machine, please indicate that as well. The record clamp, reproducer & horn are most often affected though this caveat can apply to any part.

Thanks in advance for your assistance and all who contribute will receive a PDF of the article if they wish.

Mike

I'll go first...
1. C, top brake
2. B, no, rest is on decal side.
3. B, No caution tag on arm
4. B, no hole in hold down
5. D, black w/stripe & curved bell
6. 29825
7. 44350

An interesting survey. There were 2 types of lever (cam and spring) brake. The earlier fixed by 2 bolts (as in the swinging arm) which was replaced by a single central bolt as shown by the example in your picture. I have wondered which type is most commonly seen in the US? I have not seen the earlier type here in Britain or Europe.

I know that George P (phonogfp) has collected similar information and he may be able to help you more. There have been some good threads on the subject of Berliner Trademarks.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=28280

My contribution
Photos attached
1. a
2. b decal side
3. b
4. a
5. a (black funnel w/ gold stripe)
6. a
7. J1246
8. replaced

Note: Motor governor has 2 weights not 3. Fiber gear riveted to plate not screwed.

Good luck

Thank you Jerry and Penman. George P has assisted, and we now have 34 machines in our database and growing. If we can get a dozen or so more, I think we'll have enough info for a pretty comprehensive article on these. I was also able to dig out Ray Wile's production figures, so we should also be able to correlate the changes in the machines to the approximate month and year. But the more data we receive, the better our estimates will be, so I encourage anyone with a Trademark model to please contribute.

Also, if anyone has a model with the decal showing "National Gramophone Corp." rather than "National Gramophone Co.", I could use a good closeup picture. Thanks!

I'd like to make an appeal to owners of "Trademark" Berliners on Mike's behalf. We're at 39 examples so far, and it would be great to have a nice, round 50 to use as a sample.

If you have a Berliner "Improved Gramophone," won't you please either send Mike a picture of it (from the brake side) or post it here? Along with the serial number stamped on the spring barrel?

Here's mine: Thanks in advance for your help with this worthy project.

George P.

1. a
2. b
3. b
4. a
5. a
6. a
7. J5738
8. J7070

1. C, top brake
2. B, rest on decal side
3. B, caution decal on top of wood arm
4. missing original hold down
5. missing original horn
6. A
7. J 30675
8. J 43578

Iowa Dale

That's the spirit! Thank you gentlemen!

Please keep them coming - - !

George P.

1. C, top brake
2. B, no, rest is on decal side.
3. A, Yes,caution tag on arm
4. B, no hole in hold down
5. B, All-brass, seamless
6 B , National Gramophone
7. 27890 -motor #
8 39435 - reproducer #