This very unusual disk gramophone was marketed in late 1897 by the United States Talking Machine Co. of Chicago, priced at a mere $3.00. It is housed in a small oak case, reminiscent of a cigar box, measuring only about 12 by 8 inches and only 3-1/2" tall. The mechanism consists of a 7" turntable which is hand-driven, with no motor. The tonearm is a simple piece of wood with a long needle pressed through the end, and a sliding weight to control the tracking pressure. The vibrations of the needle are transmitted through the solid wood to the other end of the tonearm, while a spring resonator connected to two sets of conventional listening tubes allows the sound to be heard. (The solid tonearm is reminiscent of another peculiar inexpensive phonograph of the same era -- the Amet Echophone.) Inside the lid is a large paper label with the company name and address, instructions, and a list of records for sale. Though the the record manufacturer was unnamed on the label, the list was comprised of Berliner Gramophone disks, with Berliner's own catalog numbers.

Apparently, soon after this little machine hit the market it caught the attention of Frank Seaman, soles sales agent for Berliner Gramophones through his National Gramophone Company. Rather than fight the U.S. Talking Machine, Seaman apparently opted to market them. Some United States Talking Machines are marked with Seaman's National Gramophone name and address on the instruction sheet, and carry a higher $3.50 price on the label.

Whenever or however Seaman first became involved with the company, it ultimately failed -- most likely because of the poor quality of the sound. It is a challenge to turn the vertical crank at a steady speed for musical records, and the strange reproducer is not very effective. By early 1898 the market had largely dried up, and in March the machines were offered as subscription premiums in magazines such as "Youth's Companion," "Munsey's" and "Ladies' World." It was a singularly unsuccessful Gramophone, and is extremely rare today with only six known to exist. This example is in pristine original condition, including the turntable felt and original ribbed rubber tubing.