* 1947 Silvertone Wire Recorder

Yes, I know this is not a gramophone or victrola. I picked this up because of the wire recorder which is very similar to a floor model Silvertone we had at home when I was a kid. This is a complete and functioning desktop unit - Model 7085 combination phonograph, AM radio and wire recorder. It came from a Chattanooga, TN, estate along with several spools of wire recorded in the late 1940's and early 1950's. The machine is in excellent condition and only required light lubrication. All features work including the microphone - a pleasant surprise. One particularly interesting recording is of the 1948 WDXV Jr. Jr. DJ Contest in Chattanooga featuring a 10 year contestant who does rather well. That is now a separate video on YouTube (Chattanooga WDXV Jr. Jr. DJ Contest).

The pictures below show some after shots since the unit really did not need much in the line of before shots.

Phonograph, spools, microphone