The Allen Koenigsberg Phonograph Collection
Lot 3088:
Description
The Edison Duplex Reproducer was introduced in 1897 for Edison cylinder phonographs by the United States Phonograph Co. of Newark, N.J. It features a unique design where the glass diaphragm sits a couple of inches above the stylus, connected by a long wire link. Sound vibrations are pulled from both sides of the diaphragm. This allowed the phonograph to output audio through an integrated L-shaped side tube into two separate horns or listening tube rails simultaneously, theoretically doubling the audio output. Because it carried a steep price tag of $9 at the time (roughly equivalent to $340 today) and delivered questionable acoustic benefits, it was a major commercial failure. Today, it is an extremely rare reproducer, with only about five original units known to exist. This example is in VG original condition with the glass diaphragm having been replaced with a copper one. The stylus and link are intact. It comes with an original brochure showing pictures of it installed on an Edison Class M. The paper brochure is in very fragile condition. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.
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