The Allen Koenigsberg Phonograph Collection
Lot 3053:
Description
77120 Manhattan Coin Op Cylinder Phonograph
The Manhattan Phonograph Company was an early 20th-century American manufacturer based at 202 Broadway in New York, best known for producing coin operated phonographs . Active primarily around 1901 to 1906, the company carved out a niche by re purposing Thomas Edison’s commercial phonograph mechanisms into public novelty attraction. They used modified Edison “Suitcase Standard” mechanisms housed in elegant oak cabinets on cast iron Queen Anne style legs. To operate the machine, a customer would turn a manual crank handle on the side of the cabinet exactly eight times to wind the internal spring motor, then drop a coin into the slot. To deter fraudulent use, the company developed a clever and unique coin chute with a magnet to detect slugs that actually flipped the coin through the air into a metal cup before starting the motor, providing an extra bit of visual entertainment for the user. The patron listened to the record through listening tubes that resembled a stethoscope. Most people first heard a phonograph on a device like this in hotels, arcades, or train terminals. This machine is in good original condition. The original finish oak cabinet has all the plate glass and wood marquee intact. The sign in the marquee is not original. The original sign is porcelain. The cabinet is missing the internal cash box. The Corbin padlock on the front has a new key. The machine is supported by the original cast iron Queen Anne legs. The mechanism is complete including the unique coin slot with the magnet. The original rubber mandrel is present. The slip clutch crank is original. The reproducer is in VG condition with stylus and glass diaphragm. Wind it up, deposit the penny, and the machine plays perfectly. Cabinet measures 32.5” tall without legs to the top of the marquee, 16.5” wide, 12.5” deep. Add another 26” to the height for the legs. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.
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