The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently acquired a closed face reproducer similar to the one on my Johnson C. It has the same markings but with a J designation. What would be the correct machine for the J reproducer? The J reproducer on my Berliner has the J designation with serial number 7070 but doesn't have the other wordage on it. Thanks in advance for any information.

Hi Ken

I have this reproducer on my 1898/99 Berliner with top brake. I believe it is a later type Clark Johnson reproducer, but don't know when it came out or what models it is correct on.

Hi Ken,
The 7070 w/o words is earlier than the closed face with Patent info. The close face with Patent info I associate with '99s+, top brake style but I do not know of any particular dates or serial numbers regarding a transition to the ones with writing.

The one with the "C" I am not familiar with could it be Canadian? Shawn may have insight.

John

The “C” reproducer is the Eldridge Johnson reproducer used on early E.J. A,B, C, And D. I had a model B with this reproducer. All EJ marked reproducers are rare, in my experience, This is the toughest to find.
Gregg

Gregg is abolutely correct.

The Closed Face reproducer with a "C" is used on early ERJ and Victor products. It is commonly called the Standard Sound Box. Here is a catalog cut from a 1901 Victor catalog. The Closed Face reproducer with a "J" is a Berliner product. It is commonly called the New Exhibition Sound Box. The one with a "J" you referenced in your original post is a very late Berliner reproducer. Both the serial number and the additional wording on the front place it to the late 1898, and 1899 period.

The first "J" Berliner reproducer picture you posted, with no additional writing on the front is from late 1896 1897, possibly early 1898. Here are a couple of cuts of the Closed Face Berliner reproducer. Shawn

Thanks for the information and great reference material. I just wasn't sure of the difference between the C and J markings.