Need help to Identify this great find!!

We have had this Phonograph for a few months which was bought at an Estate Sale and would like to know more information about it.

All we know is that it is a Strand and it does indeed work, and works well.

Linked below are pictures and any help would be appreciated. We bought this along with around 20 records and love to just listen to it for kicks...





Thanks all!!

Hi Talderon :

Welcome to Phonoland!

That is one nice looking machine! It was one of the hundreds of off brand phonographs produced after the key patents held by the major phonograph and talking machine companies -- Edison, Victor and Columbia -- began to expire in the late teens. They heyday of the "Victrola Clone" ran from that period through about the mid-1920s. So far, 260+ different brands have been identified.

SEE: 263 Machines and Their Makers: 1916 - 1923 -- http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

While the "Strand" is listed near the bottom -- #225 -- I spotted another reference -- the "Strand Talking Machine Company" -- while doing a Google news archive search, to see if any news or advertisement references were listed. (Apparently, this is a different company from the one listed in the above mentioned reference. SEE: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.h ... 946996D6CF )

Unfortunately, most of these machines had relatively limited distribution and sales. Many, in fact, were sold on a regional basis; some were produced for local department stores, music stores, etc., and many had very short production lives--in some cases, only a few years, or less. Coupled with this is the fact that a number of small, third party firms supplied the parts for many of these phonographs, such as the tone arms, motors, sound boxes (reproducer), etc., as well as the cabinets. This is a long-winded way of saying that any detailed information about this specific model may be hard to come by. Oftentimes, the best source is from old newspapers or magazines that ran local ads.

Judging by the components, I'd guess that your machine was probably produced during the early to mid-1920s. If it has a mice diaphragm in the sound box, it is likely from before 1925.

Along this line, if this is equipped with a mica diaphragm in the reproducer, you might want to check the condition of the gaskets holding the diaphragm in place. If they are original, they will likely have become rock hard, and should be replaced before you play too many records. This will improve the sound quality dramatically, as well as reduce record wear. (I take it the motor runs smoothly, and has been cleaned and re-greased before you acquired the phonograph? If not, that too should be tended to ASAP.)

If you need any information about companies that repair antique phonographs, or information about where to buy needles, etc., please feel free to ask.

Joe_DS

Joe,

Thanks for your very detailed response, I will go over some of the information you provided when I have more than a minute to breathe. I appreciate you taking the time to reply and give as much detail as you did.

We do plan on keeping this for a very long time since we know how great of a find it is and will look into your suggestions to have it checked out and get some work done on it to keep it in top shape!

Thanks again!

~Tal