Three Year Project

[phonogfp]

For the June 2011 issue of The Sound Box, I contributed an article on this coin-operated talking machine - - a 1906/07 Rosenfield Illustrated Song Machine. In short, it's an arcade machine that combines a picture show with a sound track (in this case, from a Type AZ Graphophone). I've seen no documentation of special image/record sets having ever been offered, but the Rosenfield Manufacturing Company helpfully suggested that arcade operators could record their own cylinder records for programs! Actually, I've found it relatively easy to combine stereoptican card sets and appropriate recorded music or "Descriptive Specialties." The sign board accommodates sheet music to advertise the program. The machine works quite well once adjusted, and since being completed in February 2011, it has operated flawlessly (something I can't claim for some other machines here!). I had to remove all components from the cabinet in order to carry it upstairs, but once reassembled, it still operated perfectly. I still can't quite believe it.

The Rosenfield Illustrated Song Machine uses the AZ's spring motor to drive the Graphophone and to drive the picture show via a long chain. At the end of the show, a cam allows a spring-tensioned arm to snap backward, swinging its lower portion forward to trip a second motor. This motor is electrically-powered, and performs two functions: rewinding the AZ's spring motor, and returning the reproducer back to the beginning of the record. Another circuit powers an electric light that illuminates the picture show. This light is turned on and off by a notched brass wheel on the same shaft as the cam. It's a real Rube Goldberg contraption, but it certainly puts on a show!

I started out with the empty cabinet in April 2008. After a lot of searching, the kind assistance of at least three people, carefully duplicating parts from originals, and about 100 hours of arduous assembly in my shop, finally this example is one of approximately 15 complete Rosenfield Illustrated Song Machines known to exist. I feel very fortunate to have this in my collection, and I'm gratified in having participated in bringing it back to life.

There's more historical background included in the Sound Box article.

Below are some photos - - I hope you'll enjoy them!

George P.

[Roaring20s]

I have a pocket full of pennies and I am first in line!

James.

[Kirkwood]

Congrats on a worthwhile project completed and for bringing a fascinating rarity back from the dead. The Sound Box article really fills in the history not included here, but these crisp color pics really bring this to life. It helps being able to expand the photos on the computer screen to get at some of the details. Excellent workmanship all around, I'd say. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[phonogfp]

You're very welcome, Kirkwood! I've never had a restoration that took so much time and effort. My wife thought I had a girlfriend in the basement.

Come on over, James - and bring all the pennies you can!!

George P.

[barnettrp21122]

I too wish to include my thanks for both this and the Soundbox Article you've done. What a worthy project! The color pictures are certainly a nice addition. Perhaps sometime you could replicate the music and pictures sometime on a video to share! Thanks again.
Bob

[Lenoirstreetguy]

It's beeeyoootiful. I would like to see a video of the machine in operation . It must be fascinating to watch.
Jim

[Phonofolks]

Fantastic job George! A lot of skill, patience and hair pulling was put into this machine. I pat you on the back! Where did you find the light bulb? I wonder if these bulbs will still be made once mercury energy saver bulbs become the national standard.

Rick

[ColoradoPhonograf]

George,

You did a magnificent restoration on that rare and desirable machine. I'm quite impressed as to the detail you took it back to. I've had the opportunity to see and listen to one of these machines once and it was quite a thrill.

Good job and congratulations on that restoration.

ColoradoPhonograf

[phonogfp]

Thanks for the kind comments, comrades! One advantage to waiting while parts came in dribs and drabs was that I had plenty of time to work on them, with no excuse for shortcuts. The usual impatience to complete the restoration couldn't coax me to move any faster, since I was always missing parts right up until 4 months ago. Now I'm glad things evolved as they did.

I've never made a video for You-Tube, but I suppose I could figure out how to post one. We'll see... I really can't afford any more hair-pulling - - it's all gone!

As for the light bulb, that's a curious story. Around 10 years ago I found a box of antique bulbs in an antique shop. There are probably 30 or so - - different sizes, shapes, and wattages. I know virtually nothing about early light bulbs, but I've been told by people who do that the ones to look for have bayonet mounts. Only one of these has that, but there is handwriting in black ink on many of them, papers sealed inside with patent information, and some interesting ink stamps and paper labels on the outsides. I bought them pretty much on a whim, in hopes that they'd come in handy someday.

All the filaments appeared sound, and sure enough, they all tested out fine. Most are low wattage, give off barely any heat, and have large loop filaments that look kind of cool. I put the box away, and the bulbs just sat for the past decade until I needed one for the Illustrated Song Machine. I pulled out a pretty bulb, screwed it into the old porcelain socket, and was happy I had bought them years ago. Then I realized that the viewer couldn't close because the bulb was too tall. It turns out that an ISM will accommodate a bulb no larger than about 3 ¾" tall. I started going through the box of bulbs and unwrapped each one from its newspaper. Luckily, there were 4 that were the exact size needed, and low wattage too. I've hidden the 3 spares so I'll have them after our government confiscates the rest of my incandescent bulbs!

George P.

[Phonofolks]

Thank you George. Great story as usual. I promise I will not tell the government you have these bulbs. Your secret is safe with me.