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Brunswick Phonographs
The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company was nearly 75 years old when it entered the phonograph business in 1916. Very shortly after entering the phonograph market, Brunswick introduced a clever tone arm and sound box assembly which could be adapted to play all three styles of disc records on the market at that time (lateral, Edison, and Pathe). Brunswick, aided by its immense cabinet factory, quickly became the number two phonograph manufacturer in the United States.
In 1925, Brunswick announced that it would produce a revolutionary new type of phonograph that used vacuum tubes and electricity to amplify phonograph records. The amplifier electronics were designed and supplied to Brunswick by RCA. The Brunswick Panatrope was displayed in concert throughout the United States and created a sensation when demonstrated. The first units were shipped in early 1926 at about the same time as similar machines from Victor. Some of the Panatropes contained only a phonograph, and other models were offered in combination with RCA Radiolas.
BRUNSWICK VALENCIA CABINET PHONOGRAPH: Valencia model by Brunswick, with Brunswick medallion, serial number 143723. Mahogany case with lift top lid. Cranks and platter spins, some speed variation when adjusted. In need of restoration, case has scratches, damage to one leg corner, missing piece lower corner of door. Unsure of working condition.
In early 1930 the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company sold its phonograph and radio division to Warner Brothers Pictures.
Brunswick is unique among the famous manufacturers of phonographs from a century ago in that the company is still in business, although no longer in the entertainment field. Today, they are known as Brunswick Corporation, but when they were manufacturing phonographs and records, they were the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company. At the time that company entered the phonograph business, they were also manufacturing bar fixtures, billiard tables, balls and cues, bowling balls and equipment, piano cases, church furniture, toilet seats and interior wood trim for commercial businesses. The company was expert at woodwork and approached the major phonograph manufacturers to see if any would be interested in having Brunswick bid for their cabinet business. Edison became their biggest customer, but even with large cabinet orders with Edison (such as this early 1916 order noted below), the company's leaders thought they could do even better by making and selling complete phonographs. There has been some speculation that Brunswick was forced to enter the phonograph market after Edison cancelled the order noted above or refused delivery of some cabinets and left Brunswick with an inventory of empty cases, however this is not supported by any evidence and is counter to the official Brunswick history. R. J. Wakeman has written a comprehensive history of Brunswick's phonograph business and has generously allowed it to be read here. For anyone interested in the history of the company, this book is a treasure trove of information. In addition to the historical information, photos of nearly all the Brunswick models are provided. For a more detailed look at various Brunswick styles, use the navigation menu at the top of the page.