Vintage 1955 rare carousel See-A-Song visual phonograph/recordplayer, works
This is a “See-A-Song” child’s record player, an innovative and relatively rare toy produced in 1955. It’s in good condition & works. The dome inside The carousel which is only plastic has some cracks and someone has taped it up, but again it works. The red top carousel roof has a small side crack but still works. Also, the red roof seems to wobble while it’s turning so I’ve discovered a small piece of tissue paper up underneath it keeps it from wobbling so much (as my pictures show). It comes with 9 nine records tolling 18 songs. One record has some small cracks in the middle. It also comes with several cartoon strips/cards. This wasn’t just a record player; it was a “visual phonograph” system designed to synchronize music with animation. It was marketed as an educational and entertainment tool for young children, bridging the gap between a picture book and a cartoon. The most unique part of this set is the animation system. The player usually came with a chrome-colored or mirrored “carousel” that sits on the center spindle over the record. As the record spins, you look through the slits in the carousel (or at the reflection in the mirror, depending on the specific accessory pack). The static images on the paper strips appear to “move” or animate in time with the music. It is designed to play 45 RPM records, which was the standard for children’s “Golden Records” at the time. Collectibility & Rarity:? Since it still works, its value is significantly higher. The film strips/cards are often the first thing to get lost or damaged (torn or water-stained). Having a set of them in good to decent condition is rare. The “needle” on these is usually a simple sapphire or metal stylus. Since it works, it means the crystal cartridge inside hasn’t “died” from moisture over the last 70 years, which is common with these vintage units. Please view all my pictures for the best description. Check out my other listings for more cool vintage items. I list new items weekly. All my items come from a smoke-free environment.