Siren #161: Black Swan
Siren #161: Black Swan
The Cygnet horn was introduced Sept. 1, 1909 – it was called the perfect horn in every respect due to its symmetrical appearance, its flawless sound reproduction, and its upright shape which took up less space and was more graceful than its predecessors. By December of 1909, demand had outpaced manufacturing capacity and they were challenging to find during the holiday shopping season.
The Cygnet gets its name from its elegant shape, resembling a swan’s neck – from the diminutive form of the Old French word cigne (young swan), and from the Latin word cygnus (swan).
This rare Cygnet Phonograph Horn has 10 Panels and is 24” tall x 21” deep with a 19” bell. We’re 99% sure it’s an Edison Cygnet #10, but some previous owner decided it was a good idea to repaint it and cover over the decal.. It can swivel in its base. The base is made from a large piece of hard maple that was left as a gift on our front porch. The base is finished with Betty’s Board Butter (beeswax & mineral oil). You may wish to re-oil your base occasionally. This is the only Cygnet Phonograph Horn we have ever had in our inventory.
Both ads were from Edison Phonograph Monthly, from 1909.