VICTOR III WITH "ECHO-TONE" HORN

This is the same Victor III seen on my other linked page, however here it is fitted with a very rare accessory horn called the "Echo-Tone." First advertised in April 1908, the Echo-Tone used a 'reflex' design of directing the sound backwards into a closed bowl, which then reflected out the front. It worked quite effectively but there was no denying that its ungainly appearance was anything but attractive. In fact, many people have called this "the ugliest horn ever made." The ad below, from the December 1908 Talking Machine World trade journal, suggested to dealers that "This picture attracts you" and "How much MORE will the ACTUAL HORN attract YOUR PATRONS?" Apparently the answer was "not much." Ads for the Echotone shrunk in size through 1908, and ended altogether in December. Echo-Tone horns were offered in gunmetal blue (as seen here), all-brass, or alternating brass and copper leaves. Only a few are known to survive.

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