The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Has anyone ever heard of this make of gramophone I wonder ?

I think that the brand label says 'oraphone' ?

Perhaps made during the 1920's.

Where are you getting this scan? Is it a British or American looking machine? There was an Oraphone Company making talking machines in New Orleans. I’m assuming it doesn’t say Graphone.

As Jamie said, you have gotten this picture from somewhere...
Are there pictures of the cabinet or complete machine - or just the decal? Just the decal is not very helpful...

Thanks very much Jamiegramo and Curt A.

Sorry, I should have included photo's of the actual gramophone. It is a bit inaccessible but I will dig it out later today and give it a photo-shoot ! It's a small, oak portable.

Maybe it does say 'Graphone' ? I think it may say the word 'The' just above on the left in small letters ?

Here we are then.

I think that the tone-arm may have been replaced as, for example, it is 'miles away' from the centre of the turntable when extended.

No original soundbox. In fact, it must be a non-standard tone-arm fitting as none of my other soundboxes (like HMV 4) fit it.

Oh, a very small 8 inch turntable. ..... and it smells very heavily of cigar or pipe smoke............

Oh, and there is a mysterious small square hole in the lid ................

Any information / comments would be greatly appreciated.

The hole in the lid is where the bolt for securing records in transit probably went. I've seen records held loose in the lid before with just a circular washer / locking nut to hold them tightly in place.

Steve wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:20 am The hole in the lid is where the bolt for securing records in transit probably went. I've seen records held loose in the lid before with just a circular washer / locking nut to hold them tightly in place.

Absolutely marvelous ! I would never have thought of that in a million years.

Thank you Steve !

I have just had another in depth, forensic look at the machine and finally managed to tug off the turntable.

It has a makers name of 'L & Co', the number '2' and 'British Made' - which is odd because I thought the only British made turntables were made by H.M.V. or Garrard and everything else was bought in from abroad / imported and just assembled in Britain ?

Does anyone know anything about this company I wonder ? I can't find anything on the internet.

Interesting, unusual machine. The oak cabinet looks very nice. I wonder if the Columbia-like needle cup is original to it..

I like it, whatever it is...