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Here are some views of a most interesting two spring phonograph with three mandrels in succession. The name of the inventor and manufacturer is Edward L. Rancourt of Waterville, Maine. Did his machine surface anywhere?

Fabulous photo! I wonder if the inventor was inspired by the Multiplex Grand? Thanks, Jerry

Can anyone date the photo?

This is great. Must have been rather complicated to change the cylinders, and he must have had some device to raise the stylus between selections. It's still a lot of work for six minutes of music, if they're two minute records. Where ever did you find this fascinating phono?

J

The look on the wife's face reminds me of SonnyPhono's wife after months of incessant and expensive diaphragm research! Look familiar, Jeff?

JohnM wrote:The look on the wife's face reminds me of SonnyPhono's wife after months of incessant and expensive diaphragm research! Look familiar, Jeff?

I understand and respect the fact that that we should all get along on this forum, but I have to ask this one simple question. Why do you have the need to continually turn threads such as this and others--- of interest to most----and make them about you or your undying affection for Sonnyphono.I wish you the best for the new year, but I would hope that Santa Claus would bring you a giant box of humility. Merry Christmas all.

machinist wrote:

JohnM wrote:The look on the wife's face reminds me of SonnyPhono's wife after months of incessant and expensive diaphragm research! Look familiar, Jeff?

I understand and respect the fact that that we should all get along on this forum, but I have to ask this one simple question. Why do you have the need to continually turn threads such as this and others--- of interest to most----and make them about you or your undying affection for Sonnyphono.I wish you the best for the new year, but I would hope that Santa Claus would bring you a giant box of humility. Merry Christmas all.

With respect, Machinist, this is a good example of something best addressed (if it really must be addressed) through a PM.

George P.

Hi Starkton:

Do you have any information about Edward L. Rancourt. After a little online research, I can't find anything about him, other than one patent he was granted for a circuit breaking device.

A few searches on some genealogy portals shows two listings for Edward Rancourt born in Waterville, Maine; one born in 1873, and another in 1878. (A photo of the second one's grave appears online -- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... d=78087849 )

The --social security death index (Free Site) has no listing for either; nor was there anything I could find in any of the online new archives.

DS

phonogfp wrote:

machinist wrote:

JohnM wrote:The look on the wife's face reminds me of SonnyPhono's wife after months of incessant and expensive diaphragm research! Look familiar, Jeff?

I understand and respect the fact that that we should all get along on this forum, but I have to ask this one simple question. Why do you have the need to continually turn threads such as this and others--- of interest to most----and make them about you or your undying affection for Sonnyphono.I wish you the best for the new year, but I would hope that Santa Claus would bring you a giant box of humility. Merry Christmas all.

With respect, Machinist, this is a good example of something best addressed (if it really must be addressed) through a PM.

George P.

George----I cannot name a more respected member on this forum than you. Your help and knowledge on this forum and others is done with no showmanship or pomposity. You are truly a class act in every sense of the word.You do not self-promote,grandize or flaunt your accomplishments.Your work is documented,appreciated by us mere collectors and you respond with advice when asked of you.NEVER have you chastised one for spelling mistakes, improper sentence structure or the " dumb" questions I or anyone of us may ask---- because again, you have class. You have no need to post pictures on this forum to say 'Look AT ME---- I WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF CAPS." You do not because you have class. I will take your acvice and in the future send a P.M. person in question, only because you have my respect. Thank you.

These images were part of a group found in Waterville, Maine. They were auctioned off several months ago. On backside some had inscriptions like: "Uncle Edward Rancourt Invention", but no dates as far as I know. I also found Rancourt's only US patent, but nothing more. Rancourt must be one of a good number of unknown but gifted inventors who worked intensely on talking machines, whether it be out of curiosity or to make money.

The features of his phonograph are very unusual and I seriously hope someone saved it for posterity. Did you notice the horn crane?

Here is a photo of his lathe: