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Featured Phonograph: 1899 Robert L. Gibson Prototype Gramophone


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Posted (edited)

 

Make: Robert L. Gibson/ National Gramophone Co.
Model: Robert L. Gibson Prototype Gramophone commissioned by Frank Seaman/ National Gramophone Co. (1899)
Year(s) Made: 1899 (only 2 known prototypes - never put into production)
Original Cost: Never Sold Comercially
Case/Cabinet Size: 12" x 12" x 5 1/4"
Turntable/Mandrel: 7-inch diameter with a bright purple turntable felt
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Robert Gibson designed New Century reproducer
Motor: Single Spring motor of Gibson’s design
Horn Dimensions: large Black Funnel horn 18” long with 12” bell

Reproduction Parts: All Original
Current Value: ?
Interesting Facts: 

Frank Seaman’s  National Gramophone company sold and distributed all Gramophones produced by Eldridge Johnson for the Berliner Gramophone Company. Frank Seaman made repeated attempts to interest the Berliner Gramophone Company in producing a lower cost design than the current Berliner Improve Gramophone (Trademark model). Frank Seaman commissioned several less expensive design alternatives including this one built by Robert L. Gibson. This design featured several advances over the Trademark model. The single spring motor was entirely housed in the enlarged wooden cabinet and featured a threaded horizontal winding crank.  This allowed for  records larger than 7” to be played without the need to remove the winding crank.

 

The brake acted directly on the governor instead of the turntable brake design of the Improved Gramophone.

 

The Gibson also featured a bright purple turntable felt. While most of the original turntable felt is extremely faded, the original bright purple color can be appreciated under the original record hold down.

 

The most impressive feature is it’s very large size when compared to the Improved Gramophone. The 12” x 12” x 5 1/4” case is notably larger than the

10” x 10” x 4 1/4” case of Berliner’s Improved Gramophone. The 18” x 12” Black Funnel Horn is also significantly bigger than the Berliner 15” x 8 3/4 inch Funnel Horn. The combination makes this machine look giant when compared to the much smaller Berliner Improved Gramophone.

 

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Edited by Mlund
  • Like 4
Posted

Fabulous machine. I love the comparison to the typical 'Trademark.' The Gibson is indeed huge!

  • Like 1
Posted

Fabulous and historic machine, Mike! 

 

Here are the images and captions we provided for in in our book, Discovering Antique Phonographs.  I think it's a great-looking motor!

 

George P.

 

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gibson002.thumb.jpg.c83488dcda678ef8f3242cdf1b1b59e5.jpg

  • Like 3
Posted (edited)

The motor design is quite elegant and clearly a significant improvement over the Trademark motor. As your book points out, the business and financial entanglements with Eldridge Johnson is the only logical explanation for the Berliner Company not to pursue this superior Gibson design, especially if it could be manufactured less expensively. Ultimately this refusal to pursue less expensive alternatives, led to Berliner’s eventual loss of ability to sell gramophone’s in the US.  Frank Seaman’s increasing frustration with Berliner led him to eventually sue the Berliner Company.  Seaman had been granted the sole right to sell and distribute all of Berliner’s machines in the US. Upon winning the controversial lawsuit against Berliner, Seaman was able to put Berliner out of business in the US market.

Edited by Mlund
  • Like 1

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