Damon Atchison asked, in 990706 MMD, about a phonograph ad he had
been given.

The ad dates from 1908 or 1909.  I see the reference to Edison's list
of March records, available Feb. 25th, so I would assume Feb. 1908 or
Feb. 1909.  Edison had stopped making cylinder players of that sort by
1912 or so; the later models beyond that point having "cygnet" horns or
internal horns.

But what clinches the date for me is the Victor ad.  It illustrates the
third style Victrola.  The first was introduced in 1906, and had a flat
top.  The second came out in 1907, and also had a flat top.  But the
drawback of both models was a difficulty in reaching the turntable (and
associated operating controls), because it sat down deep inside the
cabinet and could be accessed only by reaching over the high sides of
the case.  This was necessary to enable the lid to close over the tone
arm assembly.

By August 1907, the third style (shown in the Cosmopolitan ad)
was introduced.  It was the first style phonograph to carry the now
ubiquitous "ogee" shaped domed lid.  This improved turntable access by
enabling the sides to be lowered considerably and eliminating the need
for the turntable and operating controls to be set down deep inside.
The lid could clear the tone arm because of its own depth, since it was
no longer flat.  This model, the top of the line for many years, was
then designated the Model XVI (Roman numeral 16).  It had gold plated
metal parts and came in a choice of mahogany, oak, or circassian
walnut.

The cabinet style was modified in early 1910 to eliminate the carved
design beneath the lid, and the corner posts and feet were also changed
at that time.  In 1912, the Victrola XVI was completely redesigned to
eliminate the square horn and "L-shaped" record cabinet doors, replac-
ing it with a rectangular shaped horn whose two doors went across the
width of the cabinet, a style more familiar to most people.  But the
ogee domed lid would remain a prominent feature of all standard
production Victrola instruments (and many competitors) until about
1922.  I have a pair of the earlier style model, as illustrated, and
one of the 1910-1912 model.

Robbie is clearly correct: the lads are wearing ordinary caps of the
era -- note the presence of a small brim or visor in front.  Also, as
to the swastika: it is not a "Nazi swastika."  The swastika existed as
a good luck symbol for centuries before the Nazis corrupted its image
(many years after this ad, by the way).  Architectural elements such as
building trim, and wrought and cast iron grilles, fences and
balustrades, incorporate the swastika as a decorative element.

In fact, here in Phoenixville, PA, where I live, there was a retail
establishment called "The Swastika Company" and their logo was
prominently plastered all over their building.  This was up until the
1920s, when the still innocent symbol was warmly received.  So, it is
not surprising that someone would crochet or knit it into a scarf for
the table, as illustrated.  As of 1908 or 1909, they were embellishing
their work with a time-honored decorative element.

I do not know much about the Nazi adoption of the symbol, but I had
heard (and can't be sure) that the traditional swastika is bent one
way, but the Nazi adopted symbol is bent the other way.  But the
swastika is now so widely recognized as a hate symbol that even if
true, I am sure that distinction would be lost on most people.  I would
be loathe to place such a scarf under my Edison Standard phonograph
today!

Best regards,

Mark S. Chester
mschester@msn.com

 [ Damon, thanks for sending images of the front _and_ back side
 [ of the old magazine clipping!  -- Robbie