The Allen Koenigsberg Phonograph Collection
Lot 3314:
Description
The Tempophon alarm clock phonograph is an exceedingly rare, early 20th-century novelty talking machine that seamlessly combines a mechanical timepiece with a disc gramophone. Patented in the 1910s by Max Marcus and the Tempophon Company of Berlin, Germany, this ingenious device allowed users to wake up to the sound of their favorite music. The machine is housed in classic style wood mantel case. It functions as a standard, decorative clock on the outside while concealing a phonograph mechanism within. The phonograph has a specialized Tempophon hill-and-dale reproducer. The clock winds and sets the traditional way in the front and the phonograph winds using an exposed crank on the right hand side. On the back is a dial to set the desired time for the phonograph to play. The phonograph winds and trips at the appointed time but the clock is wound up and is not running. Both the clock and phonograph mechanisms are all there (see pics). The Tempophon represents a very early milestone in the history of “musical alarm clocks”. Because it was manufactured in limited numbers around 1914, surviving examples are highly prized museum pieces or crown jewels in advanced talking machine collections. Measures 11” wide, 7.5” deep, 14” tall. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.
Share this lot:
