The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

“On This Day in the History of Recorded Sound…”

December 11, 1906: Abner Seeley received a U.S. patent (No.837,970) on a “Record Box.” This was the familiar container with indented bottoms and lids which housed Edison Gold-Moulded Records.

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Think of the money he would have made had the patent provided for their alternative use as pen/pencil holders.

Think of all the boxes which were thrown away by people who bought cylinder cabinets with pegs.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2024 11:53 am Think of all the boxes which were thrown away by people who bought cylinder cabinets with pegs.

yeah that's why i don't really want one of those.

phonograph guy3435 wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2024 2:08 pm

epigramophone wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2024 11:53 am Think of all the boxes which were thrown away by people who bought cylinder cabinets with pegs.

yeah that's why i don't really want one of those.

Dad's solution for his very best records were to put the cyclinder on 1 peg with the cover on top of it, and the box upside down on the peg next to it. Of course, dad had more cylinder cabinets than "very best" records so he could get away with it.

But that leads me to another question. While the very best were saved together, the bulk of the cylinders in his collections and sales inventory are probably not in original boxes. Is it worth trying to pick the correct variation of box with the age of the cylinder? I think they are only correct to the level of 2 minute and 4 minute sorting. But without finding a lid, is there any point to having a totally correct box?

some cylinders in their original boxes will go for a little more, but if it doesnt already have its original box i dont know if its so worth it to go out of your way to find a matching box.

phonograph guy3435 wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 2:21 pm some cylinders in their original boxes will go for a little more, but if it doesnt already have its original box i dont know if its so worth it to go out of your way to find a matching box.

Yeah, it could be a bit OCD of me. However, with 3000 to mix and match, improving the correctness is certainly possible.