The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all

I ve been working on a Sonora Portable that came to me in horrible condition.

I ve made a few judgement s on it s restoration as I couldn't find any pictures of it.

I d love to know when it was made and a little of Sonora portable histories.

I don't know if the serial number is of use or not but just in case.

Thanking you in advance
Eamonn

I don't know that it will tell you very much (no picture, alas), but I have a guaranty certificate for a Sonora Leather Portable, showing the serial number and a date. A photo is below. Apologies for the indifferent picture quality; the certificate is framed and hangs in a spot where getting a good angle without glare from the glass is something of a challenge.

That model, known only as the "Portable" was introduced in 1924 and was considered a deluxe phonograph with a hefty price of $50.00 ($918.33 in today's money according to https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflat ... ?amount=50 ) There was also a more expensive $65 version with a leather covering.
The Portable is also featured in this ad from the June, 1924 Talking Machine Word -- https://archive.org/details/talkingmach ... p?q=Sonora


The very first Sonora portable model--from 1920--used a bowl in the lid, similar to the Decca Trench portables of the period: There are a few images of your model shown via Google Image Search -- https://www.google.com/search?lr=&sca_e ... 94&dpr=1.4

An excellent resource is "Sonora Phonographs -- SONORA: The Instrument of Quality" by R.J. Wakeman. It's available from The Antique Phonograph Society in PDF format, if you're a member -- https://www.antiquephono.org

HTH,
OrthoFan

Thanks a million for going to the trouble of posting all that information. That's 100% more information than I previously had.
The framed guarantee is a lovely thing to have and the serial number would appear to tie in with my gramophone being a few years after yours.
Thanks for rhe posters/advertising, they look lovely and are great things to have.

Your help is most appreciated.
Eamonn