Kämmer & Reinhardt Berliner Gramophone 1893

Catalogue number #1917852385

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Description:

Hand driven Kämmer & Reinhardt Berliner Gramophone of 1893 on a wood base (Beech?) with four cast feet. Together with a papier mâché horn in black and gold and elbow. Note the original thin black string reinforcements round the horn aperture of the elbow and the middle of the horn by the Greek key pattern. Unlike the US Berliner gramophones which had gold diaphragms embossed with patent numbers, the British examples normally had plain blued steel diaphragms. The soundbox diaphragm in this example has the remains of the original blueing clearly visible at the rear, but only traces remain visible in the front. Underneath is a paper label with the two patent dates plus the remains of what I guess was the trade label of the original supplier. The town was almost certainly Manchester in England. One apparently unplayed (at least not with a steel needle!) 5" Berliner record is supplied with this machine complete with its printed paper on the rear with the words of "Morning Hymn" which are spoken by Emile Berliner. It is embossed with the number R(?)1018 on the front, but it is the eighth record listed on Berliner's original list under "Recitations" and there it is numbered 28. (From this discrepancy I deduce that this record must be one of the earliest pressing made by him since every other example I have had have been numbered to match the catalogue listing). I played this record on lightweight specialised equipment and it is astonishingly clear - far in a way the best example I have ever heard with every word reproduced from beginning to end. Admittedly every other 5" Berliner I have played previously over the years has been very far from mint and if there was a recognisable phrase above all the increased background noise from previous needle steeling I deemed myself (and my customer) fortunate. It plays correctly at just over 100 r.p.m. as far as I can judge. Also included an original 5" Berliner paper record cover. I am not suggesting that this is hugely valuable artifact per se, but it is a very rare survivor, the first I have ever seen except for the other two owned by the man from whom I acquired (extracted would be more correct), the record. The paper was in in a very fragile and torn condition so I have restored it using museum conservation tape which can be carefully removed without damage if required at any time in the future. I have not glued the two halves together. This gramophone is offered in "as found" unrestored condition. Every screw looks to be original. Even the leather belt looks ancient with hair cracking on the smooth surface that one associates with old leather. However that apart, the belting is in good sound condition and drives the turntable. (I have restored this by treating it with leather restorer to prolong its life and flexability). Wood base board excluding the feet 14.25" (36 cm) x 9" (23 cm). The gramophone will be dismantled for transport. The horn, elbow, tone arm, horn support and soundbox, will be packed separately and given our usual suitably robust packing. Price includes insurance and delivery.

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