Sonora table phonograph. Very little information and no photos could be found on this unusual phonograph Its case looks like a music box and from what we can find, it appears this is a very rare early model phonograph made by the Swiss music box firm of E

Sonora table phonograph. Very little information and no photos could be found on this unusual phonograph Its case looks like a music box and from what we can find, it appears this is a very rare early model phonograph made by the Swiss music box firm of E. Paillard & Cie, St. Croix, Switzerland for the Sonora Chime Company of New York in 1908. (This Sonora Co. is the firm that sold their chime clock mechanism to the Seth Thomas Clock Co. who introduced "Sonora" chime clocks in 1909): Because of legal problems, very few of these were produced, although in 1910 Sonora began to manufacture a line of phonographs on their own, but these were rather ordinary floor and table models like those being produced by Victor and others. The walnut case can be easily mistaken for a music box. The European walnut case is in reasonable shape, has lost its finish and has a faded "Sonora" stencil on the front. The mechanism appears complete, but is not operating and may have a spring or click problem. The reproducer, tone arm and interior horn are present, but need attention. The crank is present.