Columbia celluloid horns

[Tinfoilphono]

This must be one of the most unusual (and scarce) horns around -- made out of celluloid. I'm personally only aware of three survivors. It was sold as a collapsible horn; the bell can be removed and the body flattened to fit in a thin cardboard box (pictured in one of the Fabrizio / Paul books). Columbia offered them in four sizes: 14", 18", 24" and 30", touting the fact that they are transparent and flexible ("will yield to a blow and spring back into shape again, whereas a glass horn would break [emphasis in the original]."

 

This is the 18" version, in blue. Red is also known; perhaps there were also other colors. Unfortunately this bell is not the original, which was missing when I found it. This does, however, look reasonably close and it certainly displays well. I fear the odds of ever finding an original bell are small.

 

Anyone else out there have one to add to the census? I'd love to see others.

 

And if anyone has a bracket for a Type Q horn crane they could spare, I'd love to have it!

 

 

 

[melvind]

What a beauty. I do not expect to find one anytime soon. But something nice to know about when out and about.

Edited December 2, 2020 by melvind

[AudioAntique]

These celluloid horns are beauties. (Haven't tried folding it flat!) Yes, the 18 in horn you see here is pictured in the Fabrizio - Paul book. It's so light weight that it doesn't really need the crane for support. 

[Tinfoilphono]

That's gorgeous! Is that the same one shown disassembled, with the box, in the Fabrizio / Paul book?

[AudioAntique]

1 hour ago, Tinfoilphono said:

That's gorgeous! Is that the same one shown disassembled, with the box, in the Fabrizio / Paul book?

 

No Rene. It's on Pp. 89-90 of the TMC.

Rob

[phonogfp]

These celluloid horns are great!  Here are the pictures from the books being discussed...

 

George P.

 

From The Talking Machine Compendium, by Fabrizio & Paul.  All Rights Reserved.

 

From The Talking Machine Compendium, by Fabrizio & Paul.  All Rights Reserved.

 

From Antique Phonograph Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gimmicks, by Fabrizio & Paul.  All Rights Reserved.

[Tinfoilphono]

There's also an original advertising flyer shown in Phonographica on page 55.

[phonogfp]

I guess I can't deny it any longer - - I'm starting to forget some of the over 3750 images in our 8 books!  Of course, I could have used the index...

 

George P.

 

From Phonographica, by Fabrizio & Paul.  All Rights Reserved.

[Tinfoilphono]

Hopefully you won't object to this somewhat more readable image. (Click to enlarge.)

 

Sorry to hear you're losing your memory!

 

[RodPickett]

These are beautiful examples.  Thank you for sharing. 

 

Speaking of Index, wouldn't an online, digital index, to the F&P series be wonderful?

[phonogfp]

...And who are you guys again...?