Vintage Paramount Talking Machine Phonograph

Item Details

A vintage model ‘V’ Paramount Talking Machine phonograph, manufactured by the Wisconsin Chair Company. This phonograph is an interesting artifact from the history of Paramount records and its roots in the furniture business. In 1917, the Wisconsin Chair Company founded Paramount Records in order to produce records to help sell the phonographs the company had recently started producing. This phonograph, produced under the Paramount name, would have been produced around 1920. Around this time, Paramount gained notice as it bought out the struggling Black Swan label, the only African American owned record label at the time, and gained significant foothold in the blues industry. This phonograph sits in an oak cabinet with a crank handle on the right side. The turn table is covered in green felt. The hinged cabinet lid props open on a metal rod. A removable screw on the top of the arm loosens to lift the arm and set the needle on the record. The crank turns and the arm moves properly, however, the phonograph does not seem to be in working condition.

Condition

Phonograph cabinet is in good condition, showing only light wear. External metal components show light oxidation. Fabric covering the speaker is torn. The crank turns and the arm moves properly, however, the phonograph does not seem to be in working condition.

Dimensions

Item #

14LEX063-159