Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Sold by Swiss firm Thorens GmbH from 1932-1947, the Excelda was among the first truly portable record players. It was designed to mimic the form factor of contemporary folding cameras, hence its alternative name of "Cameraphone".

Edison Phonograph video: youtube.com/watch?v=_2DRLhFviFE&pp=ygUWb3VyIG93biBkZXZpY2VzIGVkaXNvbg%3D%3D

Edison Fireside video: youtube.com/watch?v=fFjpRdBtoBc&pp=ygUWb3VyIG93biBkZXZpY2VzIGVkaXNvbg%3D%3D

SOURCES

radiomuseum.org/r/thorens_excelda.html

artdecocollection.com/clocks-and-music/phonographs/thorens-excelda-camera-phone-phonograph-player-circa-1930s-very-rare

antiquesplus.ca/shop/music/thorens-excelda-antique-portable-gramophone-swiss-made-complete-working

antiguedades.es/en/gramophones-sold/4027-antique-thorens-excelda-gramophone-2nd-version-switzerland-circa-1930s.html

keithwright.ca/Thorens/Thorens Excelda instructions.pdf

keithwright.ca/Thorens/radiophonomania/tranradiophono.html

soundofthehound.com/2011/04/20/glamorous-gramophones-and-other-early-playback-devices-4
patents.google.com/patent/GB255001A/en?oq=gb255001

keithwright.ca/Thorens/Thorenspage.html