Lever wind Berliner of 1897, commonly refered to by collectors as the Ratchet Berliner. A patent application for this type of motor was filed by Levi Montross of Camden, NJ, in 1896.
When Berliner's distributor Frank Seaman had almost sold out of circular metal case (Tin Can) machines, he put in an order with Eldridge Johnson for 3500 wood box, Montross Berliners.* With this machine, the motor elements of the Gramophone begin to be enclosed within an attractive wooden case.
This machine was succeeded by the Improved Gramophone of 1897,
with a motor of Eldridge Johnson's own design.
*Koenigsberg, Allen. Patent History of the Phonograph
Lynn Bilton
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.
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