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The graphophone "Eagle" was introduced in 1897 at the low price of $10 without case, or $12 with case. It was the first consumer model to use the double-spring motor of Thomas H. MacDonald, patent 680,794 filed Sept. 16, 1897, and granted Aug. 20, 1901. A similar model Q was introduced in November 1897 for only $5, and a glass-enclosed coin-operated table model was introduced in 1898 for $20. Edison began to sell a competing phonograph in 1899 as the "Gem" model for $7.50.
On the model B pictured above (NMAH #312,019), the 1st metal plate reads: " The Graphophone patented May 4, 1886; Dec. 27, 1887; April 3, 1888; June 10, 1890; Oct. 16, 1894; Mar. 30, 1897; manufactured by the American Graphophone Company, Type B, No. 92896, New York, N. Y." and the bottom metal plate reads: "Columbia Phonograph Co. sole sales agent for American Graphophone Company. New York"
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The photos on these pages are used with permission of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. They may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission of the NMAH. |