Phonograph

Object/Artifact

-

Islesboro Historical Society

Name/Title

Phonograph

Entry/Object ID

1111.531.001

Description

(Mary Ella Grinnell, 6-20-94, says this phonograph was given by John Rolerson.) This phonograph is housed in a cabinet with casters and with a hinged cover on the top, space for the loudspeaker and turntable and underneath a series of 7 shelves for record storage that are enclosed by two doors. The cabinet is 44 inches tall overall, the cover is 18 1/4 inches x 20 1/4 inches x 3 1/2 inches, and the base of the cover is 18 inches x 19 3/4 inches x 1 3/4 inches. The cover is locked with a key. The turntable is under the cover. It is 12 inches in diameter. The player arm (damaged) is approximately 6 1/2 inches in length. To the left in front of the turntable is a volume selector knob and dial. On the right is the on-off lever. To the rear of the turntable are 3 recessed removable metal holders for needles (1 1/4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep.) Two are at the left of the turntable and one at the right. On the right side of the cabinet 1 inch from the base of the cover and 10 inches back from the front is a handle and also a knob, 3 1/2 inches from the back, that pulls out. The two working together wind up the turntable. The loudspeaker area is below the cover and is enclosed on 3 sides. It measures 8 inches x 16 3/4 inches x 17 inches. The front is open and contains an open-work piece of wood design that once covered a cloth covering (missing) the open area. The inside of the loudspeaker area consists of sides that slant inward toward the loudspeaker at the back of the cabinet. Underneath the loudspeaker area are two doors each with a knob. The doors are both 19 1/2 inches tall, but one is 8 inches wide and the other is 8 1/4 inches wide. The doors enclose an area containing 7 shelves, each 1/2 inch apart and each containing in the middle of the front a cut out half moon piece of wood so that records could be handled more easily. The legs are 2 1/2 inches tall and the caster 1 1/2 inches. Inscription: The Solophone [Manufactured by Solo Phonograph Co. Boston, Mass.]