Lot Essay
Patent No.2196/09, of January 29,1909, was granted to the Premier Manufacturing Co. (makers of Clarion cylinders) and F.W.Pleasance. The device is mounted on a steel plate pivoted on the existing feedscrew bearing, and introduces an addition pair of wheels between the mandrels and intermediate wheels when lowered for the '4-minute' position.
The Walshaw stylus (the subject of Patent No.2332 of February 1 1909 - not granted because the sealing fee was not paid) has two styli mounted in a revolving head on an otherwise conventional stylus bar, enabling any existing Edison reproducer to be used with little modification. Walshaw subsequently produced the ingenious 'Variol' attachment to provide 4-minute feed on Gems. The closeness of the Premier gear and Walshaw stylus patents (they are consecutive numbers in the Phonograph Class list) suggests a degree of collaboration at this early stage.
The present example was sold by Reading & Munton of Walworth Road, battersea Park Road and Camberwell Green, address within easy reach of the Premier Manufacturing Co. at Walworth.
The Walshaw stylus (the subject of Patent No.2332 of February 1 1909 - not granted because the sealing fee was not paid) has two styli mounted in a revolving head on an otherwise conventional stylus bar, enabling any existing Edison reproducer to be used with little modification. Walshaw subsequently produced the ingenious 'Variol' attachment to provide 4-minute feed on Gems. The closeness of the Premier gear and Walshaw stylus patents (they are consecutive numbers in the Phonograph Class list) suggests a degree of collaboration at this early stage.
The present example was sold by Reading & Munton of Walworth Road, battersea Park Road and Camberwell Green, address within easy reach of the Premier Manufacturing Co. at Walworth.