Title (generic)
Phonograph
A portable instrument used to play music when such music is found in a rolled tube form. This item is a metal music player , encased in a wooden box. The part of the item that plays the music is made of metal, run by a leather belt and propelled by a key mechanism. The metal is decorated with black paint, gold-leaf flowers and the word: GRAPHOPHONE. The metal player is seated upon a steel plate. In raised lettering on the metal plate it reads :
THE GRAPHOPHONE
PATENTED
MAY 4 1886 DEC. 27 1887 APRIL 3 1888
JUNE 10 1890 OCT 16 1894 MAR 30 1897
MANUFACTURED BY THE
AMERICAN GRAPHOPHONE
COMPANY
TYPE AT 204286
NEW YORK, N.Y.
The mechanical player is placed in a varnished wooden box. The front of the box is decorated with a gold leaf painted scroll. Written in the scroll design it reads :
THE GRAPHOPHONE
PATENTED MAY 4, 1886. DEC. 27, 1887. APRIL 3, 1888. JUNE 10, 1890., OCT 15, 1894.
MARCH 20, 1897.
COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH CO.
1155, 1157 AND 1159 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N.Y.
The base of the wooden box is framed with molding. On either side of the wooden box are metal hooks which attach to the lid. The lid is also made of wood, with a curved top and a metal and wooden handle. The lid has metal clasps which attach to the hooks on the base.
notes: Must handle item from the bottom only. Heavy object. and one clasp does not function correctly.
used: Portable musical player
Date (coverage)
1886 - 1897