The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

In May 1902, German watchmaker Gustav Herrmann from Aachen filed for patent and utility model on a gramophone needle of new shape. Herrmann's object was to construct a stylus "whose enlarged pointed head will cause the sound of gramophones to gain considerably in strength, distinctness, and above all prevent the well known grating noise so very trying to musical ears."

In the fall of 1902, Deutsche Grammophon A.G. took over its exclusive distribution and sold Herrmann's needle in a gorgeous tin, painted black with gold printing. Decorated with the "Recording Angel" trademark, the tin was sold for less than one year. There exists a different version for the Russian market, distributed until the 1910s.

The German version is very rare. Here is an immaculate example, complete with the container for five tins it came in. The drawing at the very bottom is from a Deutsche Grammophon catalogue dated 1 April 1903.

do you know what type of metal is used in the tin? is it plated? I see it looks like gold print on a black surface on the outside but on the inside lid it looks like gold colored metal with black print? Also, is the black an enamel, japanning or just plain paint?

It would be interesting for me to know how they made it.

Starkton, what a great tin & box. Congrats on a rare find. I have seen a yellow, red and black version with Arab writing on it.

Very cool! Thanks for posting the info Starkton.

EDITED: The gold interior is a transparent amber varnish applied to the bare tin. The exterior is probably a bronze powder gold ink over black paint. All the printing would have been done on the flat metal stock before the box was stamped out.

It's nothing short of amasing, that a needle tin and it's packaging has servived in such pristine condition since 1902/03. I wonder how many non-collectors could guess these are 110 years old?
Congratulations on a fantastic find Starkton, and thanks for sharing it with us.

I've never been much of a tin guy ("oil can...oil can..."), but that's a very impressive one. Thanks for posting it!

George P.

Funny that it says "Use each point once only, unless it is wished to play the same record again." Why would that be OK, but not a second use for a different record? Seems inconsistent to me, if not contradictory.

Actually, quite a number of needle / record manufacturers in the steel needle days said that it was OK to reuse a needle on the same record. It probably has something to do with the thinking that the needle had worn in to the grooves of the disc and wouldn't wear any further. I still only use steel once though, regardless!

That is a stunning tin!

Sean

Henry wrote:Funny that it says "Use each point once only, unless it is wished to play the same record again." Why would that be OK, but not a second use for a different record? Seems inconsistent to me, if not contradictory.

The recommendation for repeated use of the same needle was not only inconsistent, but directly affected needle sales! In any event, Deutsche Grammophon A.G. quickly changed the sticker and introduced the following needle container for the "Recording Angel" tin. I have seen both containers only once in my life - and bought them.

Thank you for the nice comments and description of manufacture.