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Welcome To: The Puck Phonograph A common yet slightly unknown phonograph called the Lyraphone or better known as the Puck

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The Puck Phonograph
Story by Joan Lehman

Here are some great examples from the Puck 'family' of talking machines circa 1900 era. The Puck line varied in machine styles and horns. These talking machines were at the low-end price range, selling for only a few shillings and sometimes offering one free with the purchase of 24 cylinders. The first example the 'Lyraphon' circa 1903, is the cast-iron lyre-shaped Puck, produced in one of many German factories and the seller's plaque could be added at distribution.

A level surface was needed or the needle would slide off the record . The 'Pucks' were equipped with a spirit level and adjustable leveling screw, and contained no feed screw. The small motor is key-wound. There are a number of slightly different base designs, but the one shown above is probably the most common. The mandrel is connected to the governor pully with a twisted loop of string. The twist is necessary in that the cylinder rotates in the wrong direction.

(Another similar example, not shown here, was the Edison Bell Twentieth Century Puck-type and played Edison 2 minute cylinders. These machines were returnable for credit towards a better machine, if customer satisfaction was not met). Another example in the Puck category shown here, is the 'Mermaid' or 'Siren' model, circa 1900.

Although most Pucks were German made some models were of French manufacture. This model has simple mechanics with a 'super' cast iron 'mermaid' base. Assorted colors were used on the minature morning glory horns including florals. While just the machine itself is very desirable and not common, finding one with the minature morning glory horn, would be a real treat!

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