Aunt Pat has been saving stuff for years, much of it old Gruner stuff. She's been nice enough to pass some of these goodies on to me. One of the things she's had in her and Uncle Frank's basement for who knows how many years is this old phonograph. I didn't quite grasp what she meant when she told me about this old "Victrola" but thought I'd look at it and see what it was. Well, after Uncle Frank played one of the old records, showing that it still works, he mentioned that it had been in the family since it was bought new. Well, that ended any thoughts along the lines of renovating and selling it. Uncle Frank thinks it has the original diamond needle. It still sounds pretty good, whether the needle is original or not.

My great-great-uncle, Frank Gruner, Edwin's brother, bought this phonograph in December 1922. He never married and had a family but was quite fond of my grandpa, Glen. Frank died in early 1924 and left the Edison to Grandpa. It was his when he married Grandma (Clara Marsh) in 1925 and I like to think they enjoyed it, maybe dancing together on an occasional evening before the kids started to arrive. Kids ultimately arrived, though, and the Edison was the primary source of entertainment for many years. My Uncle Frank said that they didn't have much else for quite a while. The radio had headphones so only one person at a time could listen. Movies were a treat that didn't happen very often. I kind of wonder if the old phonograph didn't contribute to my dad's (Maynard's) love of music or maybe Aunt Ellen developing her talents. Uncle Frank remembered the lyrics to one of the records we played on this before hauling it out of the basement and Aunt Ellen remembered some of the songs they listened to all those years ago, so this had an impact on everyone.


There are companies that strip and refurbish these old phonographs but, aside from replacing the grill over the speaker, I intend to let this one show the evidence of the many years enjoyment it gave to the family. I'll keep it cleaned and polished and in good working order but it's been a part of the Gruner family for 85 years and should show that. Aunt Pat found the original bill of sale and gave me a copy. I framed it (not very well) and it sits on the phonograph

Submitted by: Sylvia H
02 September, 2007