Brunswick Model #350 phonograph

The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company was already nearly 3/4 of a century old when it entered the phonograph business in 1916. Very shortly after entering the phonograph market, Brunswick introduced a clever tone arm and sound box assembly which could be adapted to play all three styles of disc records on the market at that time (lateral, Edison, and Pathe). Brunswick, aided by its immense cabinet factory, quickly became the number two phonograph manufacturer in the United States.

The elaborate Brunswick phonograph illustrated above dates from approximately 1918. The model 350 was the most expensive upright style illustrated in their catalog that year (there was an impressive Model 1500 console style phonograph available at an equally impressive $1500). The model #350 cost, appropriately enough, $350.

The #350 was offered in a choice of walnut or mahogany (mahogany illustrated here). The sides were bowed, and the decoration was hand carved.