What model Talk-O-Phone is this?
Posted: Mon May 24, 2021 3:37 pm
Two questions:
I am wondering what model Talk-O-Phone this is. I have this small blue reprint Talk-O-Phone catalogue that many of us probably have, but this model is not in there.
I thought that it was a Brooke, but the cabinet is larger and the details on the cabinet are different as well. I am showing the machine side by side with a Brooke in one photo. The machine in question is the one with the terribly beat-up cabinet.
My machine has a single spring motor, very similar to my Brooke. The base of the cabinet measures about 12 ½" by 12 ½". It has a 21" horn, presumably original, with a 15" upper carrier arm. It's the horn that was offered on the Ennis, the next model up, but the Ennis had a dual spring motor.
The second part of this question involves the cabinet. Oddly, the machine is very well preserved aside from the cabinet. The motor runs and everything looks original, down to the reproducer, (both arms and the reproducer are present, though it doesn't show in the photo.) It is only missing the horn cradle, which is reproduced and easily available, and the pull knob that releases the top of the cabinet. But the cabinet is as you see it. The top is slightly warped, it needs new veneer on the top, and the finish is gone. I hope, though, that the cabinet is stable enough to be restored by someone who has good woodworking skills and could bring it back.
However, restoring this cabinet is beyond my skill level. I am wondering if anyone could suggest someone who might be able to restore the cabinet. I also am wondering which decal may have been on this cabinet originally. I know that there are at least a few variations on the Talk-O-Phone decals. I suppose the only way to know would be to see if there is another example of this model out there.
Thank you!
Mike
I am wondering what model Talk-O-Phone this is. I have this small blue reprint Talk-O-Phone catalogue that many of us probably have, but this model is not in there.
I thought that it was a Brooke, but the cabinet is larger and the details on the cabinet are different as well. I am showing the machine side by side with a Brooke in one photo. The machine in question is the one with the terribly beat-up cabinet.
My machine has a single spring motor, very similar to my Brooke. The base of the cabinet measures about 12 ½" by 12 ½". It has a 21" horn, presumably original, with a 15" upper carrier arm. It's the horn that was offered on the Ennis, the next model up, but the Ennis had a dual spring motor.
The second part of this question involves the cabinet. Oddly, the machine is very well preserved aside from the cabinet. The motor runs and everything looks original, down to the reproducer, (both arms and the reproducer are present, though it doesn't show in the photo.) It is only missing the horn cradle, which is reproduced and easily available, and the pull knob that releases the top of the cabinet. But the cabinet is as you see it. The top is slightly warped, it needs new veneer on the top, and the finish is gone. I hope, though, that the cabinet is stable enough to be restored by someone who has good woodworking skills and could bring it back.
However, restoring this cabinet is beyond my skill level. I am wondering if anyone could suggest someone who might be able to restore the cabinet. I also am wondering which decal may have been on this cabinet originally. I know that there are at least a few variations on the Talk-O-Phone decals. I suppose the only way to know would be to see if there is another example of this model out there.
Thank you!
Mike