Language Phone



This article is part of the ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH, GRAMOPHONE AND TALKING MACHINE IDENTIFICATION GUIDES.
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The phonograph was a natural extension of the teaching of foreign languages. Richard S. Rosenthal advertised courses of study through his "Meisterschaft System" in popular magazines, and as early as 1889 he had produced brown wax records for his International College of Languages. A version of the Columbia Q was branded with a Language Phone decal, accompanied by cylinder records prominently displaying Dr. Rosenthal's image on the box. A disc Language Phone was offered as early as 1905. There was no repeater attachment on the disc Language Phone -- the student was advised to carefully lift the reproducer in and out of the groove. The machine depicted here is a Columbia BZ, which was introduced in 1910, with a special florid Language Phone decal.

Language Phone
The discs are marked International College of Languages, with a New York City address. Larger image