I think it's safe to assume we all know what a gramophone is! Their distinctive shape has turned them into an enduring symbol of music. Along with the wind-up film camera and the dial-up telephone, the gramophone is not really in use anymore. However, like its 'outdated' friends, these objects have been ingrained in shared cultural history and have therefore retained their emblematic quality.
The Early Gramophone
During the late 19th century, inventors were looking for a way to record and play music. Before the gramophone, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. Alexander Graham Bell made improvements to the quality of the sound, which wasn't particularly appealing, creating his graphophone.
These early renditions played sound from wax-coated cylinders. It wasn't until 1890 that these machines use flat discs to play sound. Invented by Emile Berliner, an American-German inventor, these discs are still recognisable today.
The distinction between gramophone and phonograph is not very clear; the two terms were used and have been used interchangeably. The biggest difference is that the term gramophone was trademarked until 1910. Now, terminology has spread to include names such as "turntable" and "record player".
His Master's Voice | The Gramophone Company
In 1898, Emile Berliner founded The Gramophone Company. It was one of the earliest recording companies and the organisation from which His Master's Voice emerged in 1901 - now better known as HMV. They borrowed this name from a painting by Francis Barraud. It is an image which has now been popularly reproduced throughout the world. The painting shows a Jack Russell sitting alongside an original cylinder phonograph. In 1899, The Gramophone Company bought the original painting for £100, around £8,500 today.
Gramophones At Auction
At Fellows, we have sold many gramophones in the past, such as the ones pictured above. However, none quite like this charming lot in our upcoming jewellery auction.
Going for sale on the 25th of July at 10am, lot 1 is a darling novelty charm in the shape of a gramophone, complete with its flat disc record. Perfect for any music fan or lover of all things vintage. If you'd like to bid on this lot you can visit the link below for further information and to view the rest of the catalogue.
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