Record player of 80 years ago

A phonograph has been offered by an Instow man to Bideford Museum. Mr Charles Martin of Bridge Lane, Instow, was given the phonograph over 50 years ago by his uncle Mr John Martin who bought it in Australia in the early 1890s.

In the photograph Mr Martin is seen playing the phonograph at his home. The cylindrical objects in the case are records made of a hard wax-like substance. For playing they are placed on to a rolling pin cylinder and the needle fitted in the groove on the recording makes its way along as it plays.

Gazette article dated 11 April 1969