D and R Imperial talking machine



This article is part of the ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH, GRAMOPHONE AND TALKING MACHINE IDENTIFICATION GUIDES.
SEE ALSO: Our listings of outside horn talking machines for sale.


Another machine made up from Columbia parts, this Imperial phonograph dates to around 1909 and was distributed "free" by the D and R record company of Chicago with the purchase of records. It is distinguished by its one piece tone arm and reproducer.

Imperial phonograph no. 2
The cabinet is marked Imperial No. 2. Larger image		Imperial tone arm and reproducer
The one piece Columbia type tone arm was painted black with gold stenciling. A D and R record sits on the turntable. Larger image
D and R Imperial case
The plain oak case with visible dovetailing is a style common to many Columbia derivative machines, such as the Standard X. Larger image		Imperial horn
Blue sunburst horn with hand-painted flowers was original to this example. Larger image