Past Auctions

Rare Original Gramophone by Emile Berliner
circa 1890-1893
first series of production by Kammer & Reinhardt of Germany for playing 5 inch 12.5cm Berliner records, patent D.R.P 45048, with hand-cranked mechanism, soundbox with patent date 8th Nov. 1887 and original shipping box, rare cast iron model, size: 7 x 8 1/4, good original condition, missing tension belt and paper mache horn, box and machine labeled with matching serial number, the German emigrant Emile Berliner patented his invention on 8th November 1887 in Germany and America simultaneously, followed by patents in several other countries. Berliner’s machine, however, awoke little interest in America at this time thanks to Thomas Edison’s unveiling of an improved cylinder phonograph at the Paris World Exhibition of 1889. A year into his return to Germany, Berliner met with more success. Berliner carried out improvements to his design in the telephone factory of his brother Joseph in Hanover and entered into a contact with toy and doll manufacturer Kmmer and Reinhardt who were willing to put his design into production. Despite European success, Berliner’s big break-through in America came a few years later, with a slightly modified design and appearance for the transatlantic market.

Estimate: $10000 - $20000