CHAPTER FOUR of THE TALKING MACHINE, AN ILLUSTRATED
COMPENDIUM, 1877-1929, covers the years 1904-1908. During this period the
talking machine reached its stride, and many of the machines we find most
frequently on the market were produced. Illustrated in abundance are the
Edisons, Columbias and Victors a collector often sees. As well, there is
ample space devoted to Zonophone, the Chicago odd-spindle companies, European
machines and other unusual items.
The "Biophone" was a German-made, British-sold machine which fell into the general category of "Puck phonographs". Pucks were simple, inexpensive talking machines usually mounted on a trivet (lyre-shaped) base. In this slightly up-graded model, the tiny motor is hidden by an elegant metal case, leaving enough open space to slip on and play a cylinder record.
CHAPTER FIVE of THE COMPENDIUM deals with the period
1909-1914. This was a transitional time, when many small firms flickered
out - but not before producing some fascinating and unusual talking machines,
which are generously illustrated. The story of the major companies continues,
too, on the brink of the internal-horn era, including the development of
Edison's Diamond Disc Phonograph.
One of the last of Columbia's external-horn disc talking machines was the
"60H". It had been designed and sold as the "BII" starting in 1909. By the
mid-teens it had acquired a motor right out of a Grafonola internal-horn
cabinet model. With a wooden horn, it sold for $60.00.
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CHAPTER SIX WITH MORE COLOR PHOTOS.
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