Purtian phonograph

This Victrola era machines dates from around 1918-1922; it was distinguished by its unusual "long horn" design, with the horn squeezed under the record storage, rather than above it as conventionally located.

Fred A. Dennett, a prominent Milwaukee area furniture manufacturer and owner of the Wisconsin Chair Corporation seems to have spun off the United Phonographs Corporation around 1918, becoming president of the new company. A series of design patents was assigned to Dennett beginning around 1919 for the atypical cabinet, and a patent for a motor was also assigned to him.

Puritan phonograph dealerships seem to have been established mostly in the midwest -- Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota -- although one dealership does appear on record in Massachusetts.

According to company advertising, eight models were offered in a price range of $75-$500. Most examples have appeared in a variation of the bombe case depicted below.

Most Puritans have been seen in an elaborate case like this, but design patents were also filed for a plainer square case with horn at the bottom.
Larger image

Details of the Puritan upperworks.
Larger image

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.