The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just purchased a phonograph on craigslist from a company (probably privately labeled) I can find NO information on. The label says Bruce Springfield, IL. There are no other labels I cand find. Has anyone heard of this company?

Thanks,

Chris

Post a pic on this forum. SOMEONE will help!

Here is an article you may want to read that might put your 'Bruce' into a historical context:

http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

A you noted, it was most likely "privately labeled."


I spotted a mention of the Bruce Company of Springfield, Illinois, which was involved in player piano sales -- http://books.google.com/books?id=1ZxQAA ... ld&f=false

Another reference is to the Bruce Sewing Machine Co, which also sold player-pianos and phonographs -- http://books.google.com/books?id=7JZQAA ... hs&f=false

These may be references to the same company.

As was mentioned in the article that John provided a link to, it wasn't "unusual for a furniture, department, piano, or music store to sell phonographs under its own name."

Oftentimes, these were very short lived ventures, so about the only contemporary references you might find would be local newspaper ads of the period.

DS

Thanks for the information... I'll check it out. It's a working machine in nice condition it would be nice to know who actually made the thing... if a "house brand" at best they commissioned a cabnet and someone else stuck in the mechanics...

I'm almost positive by looking at the tone arm and reproducer and look of the cabinet the "Bruce" is a Brunswick private label...

Actually... I take it back.. the cab looks Brunswick, the tonearm looks like from a Heywood-wakefield... anyway the "Bruce" looks like a custom hodgepodge house made piece. haha

It doesn't look like anything to me. Can you post a photo?

JerryVan wrote:It doesn't look like anything to me. Can you post a photo?

I will take pictures and post tonight.

The tone arm and soundbox look like the Sonora I'm looking at in Va.