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Post by wacvet67 on Jan 16, 2009 9:48:23 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I'm excited! Tomorrow I go to pickup my Starr phonograph. While browsing in a small antique shop in New Bern, NC just before Xmas, my husband found (and called me to come see) a very nice Starr phonograph. As far as we know, the only thing missing is the grill. I'm sure God wanted me to purchase this phonograph -- the reason being it was made by the Starr Piano Company of Richmond, Indiana. Guess who was born in Richmond, Indiana? Guess who's mother worked in a record factory in the early 1960's in the same factory buildings that were built by the Starr Piano Company in the early 1900's? Sooooo, clearly that was a sign!
Hope that didn't bore anyone, but now I'm on a mission to find out what model I have, the year it was made, and to acquire 78 rpm early records to play (currently I have none).
My husband and I would greatly appreciate any and all advice, assistance, and guidance!
Stay warm!
Carolyn
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Post by lukewarmwater2 on Jan 16, 2009 14:58:48 GMT -5
Carolyn, Congratulations on such an exciting and personal find! The Victor Talking Machine Company controlled the fundamental patents for lateral (needle moves side-to-side, i.e. the typical 78rpm record) phonographs in this country until 1917 when said patents expired. After that, anyone could build/sell disc phonographs without fear of a lawsuit by Victor. The Starr would be among those produced after 1917. I am not aware of any Starr phonographs produced after the next milestone in 78rpm history: the advent of electrical recording in 1925, so you can safely date your Starr to between 1917-1925. The Starr-Gennett Foundation in Richmond is dedicated to preserving the company's legacy and they have a website at www.starrgennett.org. Be sure to have the motor and sound box professionally rebuilt, and use each steel needle only once. Kind regards, John Maeder Madison, Indiana |
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Post by lukewarmwater2 on Jan 17, 2009 8:08:16 GMT -5
I should probably refine my answer just a bit more by saying that Starr probably did not make a great variety of models. My assumption would be not more than three, but it wouldn't surprise me if only one model received wide distribution. Also, the most likely date of your machine would be closer to 1920 than 1925 (there was a huge drop in phonograph sales in 1924 that ushered in the post-1925 machines made to play electrically recorded records). John M
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Post by wacvet67 on Jan 17, 2009 17:59:59 GMT -5
Hi John,
Thanks so very much for your replies. We brought the Starr home today and it did play some 78's I purchased on Friday. It played well enought that we definitely see the potential However, we lifted the "trap door" to peak at the motor and boy, does it look dirty -- both the motor and inside where the internal horn is located. We think your advice to have the motor and reproducer serviced is advice we're going to take. This is going to be great fun I think!
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Post by lukewarmwater2 on Jan 17, 2009 18:59:58 GMT -5
Carolyn,
There are a number of competent rebuilders but I like George Vollema of Great Lakes Antique Phonograph (GLAP). Just google him for his website. He can rebuild motor and reproducer and sells needles. Records produced by the acoustical recording process. (ore-1925) will sound the best on your Starr so you'll have to learn to recognize those labels. 78's from the late 1940's-1950's can potentially damage the reproducer (not to mention damage the record and sound terrible as well so this advice should be taken seriously). I wish you a lifetime of enjoyment from your phonograph and records!
John
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Post by unclevanya on Jun 13, 2009 2:51:10 GMT -5
lukewarmwater wrote:
"Starr probably did not make a great variety of models. My assumption would be not more than three, but it wouldn't surprise me if only one model received wide distribution. Also, the most likely date of your machine would be closer to 1920 than 1925"
Actually, Starr made more than three models of PORTABLE. The 1917 product line included five models at difference price points. 1918 and subsequent years saw between eight and twelve different models, in addition to which a series of one-off Art machines were offered to well-heeled customers. Starr also offered a small line of four "orthophonic style" machines between 1926 and 1928. These machines used relatively long horns which were not folded, including one mid priced machine with a 5 foot long rubber horn, made by Miller Rubber Co, which was surled up in the cabinet like a bass saxophone.
Starr also offered at least a dozen models over the years which were exclusive to Canada .
Starr machines were very well made, and appear to have sold well enough, but their sales volume was only a half a percent (or less) of that of the great Victor, and so their machines are not often found.
They do turn up occasionally. A couple of years I consigned a William and Mary Art Model (Factory list price $1800.00 in 1919) to a phonograph auction and was quite gratified (and suprised) at the sum that it realised.
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Post by estott on Jun 13, 2009 20:16:25 GMT -5
Starr made nice cabinets with particularly nice spruce internal horns - their big flaw is the pot metal tone arms and reproducers, I've seen a lot of cracked and broken examples.
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