Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. Photograph appears with the headline, "Being Preserved for Posterity," Los Angeles Times, 03 Sep 1935: 12. Sammy stands in front of the Multiphone in a room with framed pictures, lamps, and kettles. There are signs hung on the phonograph, which is twice the size of the boy. Some of the signs say: "5 cents Get a thrill It will try for a short time Then Comes the Mellowdie" "Drop a nickel in the slot and the trouble starts it, frys, it sizzles it squackes etc, etc" "Yes It Still Runs Put in Your Nickel For A Good Squak Its Inside 5c for a Schlitz Rapsodie". Text from negative sleeve: 2034 - Sammy Orchard of Arcadia with the only Multiphone in existence, invented by Thomas A. Edison. Multiphone at Pony Express Museum in Arcadia 8-24-35 [stamped:] Sep 13 1935 Text from newspaper caption: Complicated machinery makes the wheels go on this early Thomas A. Edison phonograph, the Multiphone, only known one in existence and exhibited at W. Parker Lyon Pony Express Museum at Arcadia. The machine entertained miners at an early California camp. Sammy Orchard looks it over. Handwritten on negative: Samuel Orchard
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
