A Mystery Graphophone Reproducer

[phonogfp]

We've all seen many floating Graphophone Reproducers.  I own quite a few of various designs, including two that are built like this (not shown in Hazelcorn).  Note the lift "fingers" which are seen on several of the Grand Graphophones and the Type AO; perhaps a few others as well, but this variation is too short for a Grand Graphophone.  It fits well on an AO, but the AO was originally equipped with a "D" Reproducer. 

 

What's really puzzling me is that I've never seen any other Graphophone Reproducer marked like this one.  The additional stamped information is filled with black (paint?).

 

I have a theory, but I'd be interested in what others think.

 

George P.

 

 

[Jerry]

My first thought is Western Electric, but I can't imagine the connection with a Graphophone reproducer.

[RodPickett]

Last January I posted this thread:

 

https://forum.antiquephono.org/topic/2290-a-mystery-blue-amberol/#comment-9506

 

regarding a mystery recording on a BA rather than an Ediphone cylinder.

 

Obviously for a “test” of some kind, reasons unknown

 

Jerry suggested Western Electric Co. which is quite plausible.  Perhaps Western Electric was doing their own experimentation.

 

[Tinfoilphono]

Isn't that interesting.... I also thought of Western Electric. It looks like a heavy reproducer. Could it have been used on Graphophones for dictation (playback, obviously) for increased volume? I'm thinking of something like what Sears had at their main office in Chicago at the time.

 

 

[phonogfp]

Like all three of you, my first (and so far only) thought is the Western Electric Company.  And I even mentioned the Sears stereo card to the seller of this Reproducer as what I envisioned for the original application - presumably in a Western Electric office environment.  The number "10" on the side suggests that it (and others) may have been marked to discourage pilfering.  All speculation on my part, of course.

 

But here's the problem with all this: a Type C Graphophone does not require the lift "fingers" on a Reproducer.  If the "W.U Co." wasn't using Type C Graphophones in their offices, what WERE they using?  (And what machines are pictured in that Sears image?  They aren't ATs (or AEs/AIs) - just look at the depth of those cabinets.  Surely electric machines of some sort...whatever they are.).

 

By the way, this isn't a particularly early aluminum Reproducer, as it bears the Columbia stamping behind the diaphragm (see image).

 

 

As for Western Electric, they reportedly built the first 300 Type A treadle Graphophones.  I believe the 2-volt and 110-volt electric motors used in Graphophones were also built by Western Electric.   

 

It's a mystery to me!

 

George P.