The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I found this photo the other day. So I thought to myself......Self, here is a cylinder related contribution I can make to the forum. With all those batteries up on the shelf, they were doing a lot of recording . With my untrained Edison eye, there seems to be class M's etc....I find it odd that the first case on the left has the look of a late Triumph.
George, I would like to read your take on this line-up.

What a neat picture. Would anyone be able to wager a guess as to the date of this photograph based on the color tones of the photograph itself? I can't help but wonder if this is a later picture than one might think... as in the collection of one of the first phonograph enthusiasts, say from the 1930s or 40s?

If I would make an educated guess I'd say it is a rental company around the 1890's to 1900. Below the phonographs a barrel of acid to top up the batteries, gas lighting in wall fittings. Definitely not a picture from the 1930s.

The second phonograph from left is a duplicator. This is not a real photo but a print, perhaps from a book. Please tell us your source.

Because of the Edison Triumph Model B with its raised panel cabinet the image cannot be taken earlier than 1906.

The mantles on the gas lights also indicate early 1900's

It's taken from a printed source for sure. The screening is pretty obvious when one enlarges the posting. This isn't a shot taken in the British Branch...or one of the European branches... of National Phonograph Co, is it? Those " batteries" on the shelf could very well be the tin containers that held master cylinders. There is in fact what appear to be cylinders on the top shelf at the left.
The gas fixture has a European feel to it...the shade I mean.
Jim

I too think it is from a book or publication. It was sent (via email) to me awhile ago but, I just found again on a disc I had put away. I have asked the man that sent it to me for the source. Hope he knows or one of us on the forum. I do know it's NOT in any of the Tim & George book.
Maybe George can tell us???.

I thought I read somewhere that when the Edison Triumph changed from Model A to Model B, one of the changes was the end gate. The model B went to lever release whereas the model A's had the release with the ball on the end. If that's the case, would this be a model A top works in a model B style cabinet? If so, that would narrow down the date the picture was taken a bit more.

amazing picture...

I have no idea what this is, but I do agree with Jim that the feel of the construction and other details appear to be not from the states but in some european location perhaps.