The wedding of the lamp and the phonograph was first proposed in 1878, when someone floated the idea of a giant beacon and tinfoil machine atop the head of Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty, then under construction. But the marriage wasn't consummated until around 1916, when house current became sufficiently widespread.
Most of the machines depicted here appeared from around 1918 to the mid-20s. Not much is known of the men or companies behind them.
Base of the Capitol, with shade removed.
Variation with wooden base.
Typical upperworks.
Copyright 2016 Vicki Young
Vicki Young
Box 435
Randolph,OH 44265
330 325-7866
We buy, sell, and repair antique phonographs and music boxes.
Pick-up and delivery possible in many parts of the midwest, south, and northeast.
Mechanical music
for sale