PooleyEufonola Phonograph Cabinet

Q: I have an old phonograph that has a metal plate that reads “The Pooley Grand Prix Eufonola, Manufactured by the Pooley Furniture Co. Inc., Philadelphia.” It has a crank turntable. The bottom doors open to reveal shelves for record storage. What is the age and value of this phonograph?

A: Pooley Furniture Co. was founded by James Barnum Pooley in 1892. The company made all sorts of furniture, including cabinets for phonographs and radios. Phonograph cabinets were made by several different manufacturers. An ad in a 1916 edition of Talking World Magazine listed Acme Cabinet Co. of New York City as the maker of the Eufonola disc player. The first 78 rpm records were made about 1900, but the speed at which a record turned (revolutions per minute) was not standardized until about 1930. The Pooley is not selling well today and usually goes for under $100.