Recently while moving some things around the house, I noticed this very old looking suitcase. Of course my curious nature made me look what was hidden inside. However, I did not expect to find something so cool. Gramophone! Portable, wind-up gramophone called Sonorous Bell made in England. Year was engraved on the winding key. It was a bit faded, but still readable 1924.
If this discovery of 94 year old relic wasn’t enough, how about the fact that it was still functioning? My cheeks were hurting from smiling while listening to the record of the song called Vienalga man in Latvian. The sound was absolutely horrible, but still very recognizable and made me think of old retro movies. So I was sitting there in the pile of dust surrounded by old records for a good while. Some English records, some Latvian, some German and French.
Usually I am not very clingy to things and generally think less is more, but this antique find seemed so precious. A piece that makes you time travel. Well at least wonder a little about different times.
It was still functioning until let’s try to fix the sound a little broke it, so unfortunately I am not able to share the gramophone itself or the sounds it made with you this time. That is until the broken part is fixed and it can be fixed. So it is not so sad or permanent after all.
Anyway, have a look at these amazing record covers each telling a bit of history! The record discs were made from shellac. Vinyl records came a lot later in 1950’s.
His Master’s Voice originally was a painting made by Francis Barraud of a terrier mix dog named Nipper who appeared listening to a wind-up gramophone. It later became famous trademark in the recording industry and was also made into a bronze statue awarded to artists, music producers and composers.
Hopefully something with a bit of sound will follow soon.
