Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely World War II U.S. Army model D-200 Acoustical Phonograph player, made by L.M. Sandwick of Chicago, IL. These were often used by the Army Special Services Division, which was responsible for, among other things, entertainment and recreational activities for the troops in the United States and the theaters of combat operations.
The phonograph player is in exceptional condition, contained within an OD green case with leather carrying handle. The top of the case is marked U.S., and the original data plate inside is still clear, and reads:
ACOUSTICAL - PHONOGRAPH
MODEL D-200 SERIAL 543
MANUFACTURED FOR
U.S. ARMY
BY
L.M. SANDWICK ASSOCIATES
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
The felt on the platter is still in good condition, and the unit comes with extra needles for the player. There is a paper label on the inside of the lid that details the winding, use, cleaning, and oiling of the phonograph. It also indicates the L.M. SANDWICK company again.
The unit is spring powered, which is wound using the crank present in the case. When the unit is cranked and the switch activated, the turntable rotates smoothly with some help, though it most likely could use some oiling. Measures approximately 17 by 16 by 8 inches in size.
Ready to service and play!
“Saturday night I asked my two tent mates if they would like to hear some good music. Yes. We brought down the machine and some of the wonderful records which you sent along. Lowbrowly, we first put on Dinah Shore singing that tantalizing Mood Indigo. It wasn’t on three minutes before a Major came tumbling in from a nearby tent demanding to know what kilocycles we were on; he had been frantically trying to get the music on his radio. We laughingly explained what it was all about. Off he rushed to turn off his machine and back he came to stay all evening. A helter-skelter programme proceeded. While Finlandia (cracked but acceptable) was playing, a Lieutenant wandered in. . . . . Soon the tent was crowded.”
- Letter from Marine officer “Ray” to Harold Spivacke, chief of the Music Division of the Library of Congress and leader of the Subcommittee on Music for the Joint Army and Navy Committee on Welfare and Recreation, March 20, 1944.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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