The Allen Koenigsberg Phonograph Collection
Lot 3170:
Description
It was not until late 1896 that Berliner’s Gramophone became a practical instrument, with a spring-driven motor developed by Levi Montross. The first spring motor Gramophones had metal “tin can” bodies, but late in 1896 they were housed in attractive oak cases like this example here. The motor is wound up by pulling a ratcheted lever from side to side rather than with a rotating crank as is typical of all other old phonographs. The lever-wound motor was extremely short lived as within 7 months Berliner came out with the Improved Gramophone”with a better motor and a top crank, developed by Eldridge Johnson. This machine is in VG original condition. The lever winds the spring and the motor runs. The case has a Berliner decal on the rear. It is serial No. 3664 which puts it very late in production. The reproducer is No. J613. The 14.75” black body horn has a 9.5” brass bell and a dried but original leather elbow. Measures 9.75” wide, 9.75” deep, 15” to the top of the horn. Comes with a copy of Levi Montross Patent papers from 1896-98. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.
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