A little light on lamp phonographs - the Modernola and the Phonolamp

September 2004
This article is part of the Noteworthy News archives.




BACK: THE CAPITOL

BACK: THE FAIRY AND THE LAMPOGRAPH

The Phonolamp

Electric Phonograph Company
29 West 34th St, New York, New York.
Trademarked 1917.

A series of Phonolamp records, pressed from Grey Gull titles, were available with the machine in 1921.

Phonolamp

Stripped of its light fixture, the Phonolamp resembles a large black urn.

The Modernola

Johnstown,Pennsylvania. Trademarked 1918. Trademark refiled 1923.

These circular machines have been seen in walnut, mahogany and Chinese Chippendale finishes. Tabletop Modernolas have been reported.

The Modernola Company turns up in the Johnstown business directory as late as 1923.

Like many other struggling phonograph companies in the 1920s Modernola also began to offer radios.

Modernola

The interior of this Modernola featured distinctive red cardboard drawers.

Modernolette

The Modernolette, a picnic portable sold by Modernola, did not contain a light.

Copyright 2016 Vicki Young

Vicki Young
Box 435
Randolph,OH 44265
330 325-7866

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