Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders

Vintage collectible tape recorders, from left to right, Executive TR-10, Kaytone, turquoise Miny. All three use 3-inch tape reels and are made in Japan. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

In their day, little tape recorders were fascinating. Remember, in that time most of us had never heard our own voice played back. (“I sound like that?!”) Beside the novel technology, many of these little recorders were very attractively designed, as you can plainly see! Since people have little use for these gizmos today, they’re much easier to find and collect than, say, Van Goghs.

Vintage tape recorder: The impressive and strange American-made Mohawk Midgetape 44 (model BR-1). It's dated 1957 and uses a metal tape cartridge. The electronics inside include three subminiature tubes. The built-in hand crank is for manual rewind. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

The three good-lookers at the top are, from left to right, an Executive TR-10, a Kaytone, and a turquoise Miny. All three use 3" tape reels and are from Japan.

On the yellow boomerang are three views of the impressive and strange American-made Mohawk Midgetape 44 (model BR-1). It’s dated 1957 and uses a metal tape cartridge. The electronics inside include three subminiature tubes. The built-in hand crank is for manual rewind. 

Three tiny vintage tape recorders: Craig TR-404 (Japan), a Sanyo-made recorder using 2.5-inch reels. Next is the all-chrome (wow!) Juliette LT-44 (Japan), using 3 inch reels, and at right the Fi-Cord 101S, a nifty little 'spy' recorder using 2-inch reels. It has a built-in microphone and was made in Switzerland. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm
Three tiny vintage tape recorders: Craig TR-404 (Japan), a Sanyo-made recorder using 2.5-inch reels. Next is the all-chrome (wow!) Juliette LT-44 (Japan), using 3 inch reels, and at right the Fi-Cord 101S, a nifty little 'spy' recorder using 2-inch reels. It has a built-in microphone and was made in Switzerland. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

On the yellow boomerang are three views of the impressive and strange American-made Mohawk Midgetape 44 (model BR-1). It’s dated 1957 and uses a metal tape cartridge. The electronics inside include three subminiature tubes. The built-in hand crank is for manual rewind. 

Vintage Olympus Pearlcorders pocket-size tape recorders: the larger one is an early SD model and the small one an L400 from the 1980s. Both are from Japan and use microcassettes. Shown behind is a nifty accessory, the DRA 2 FM tuner which docks to the bottom of the SD, making it an FM radio. What will they think of next? From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm
Vintage Olympus Pearlcorders pocket-size tape recorders: the larger one is an early SD model and the small one an L400 from the 1980s. Both are from Japan and use microcassettes. Shown behind is a nifty accessory, the DRA 2 FM tuner which docks to the bottom of the SD, making it an FM radio. What will they think of next? From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

Above is the Craig TR-404 (Japan), a Sanyo-made recorder using 2.5-inch reels. Next is the all-chrome (wow!) Juliette LT-44 (Japan), using 3 inch reels, and at right the Fi-Cord 101S, a nifty little “spy” recorder using 2-inch reels. It has a built-in microphone and was made in Switzerland.

Vintage Telefunken 600 'Portable Dictating Machine' uses 'magnetic recording discs' and is, for office equipment, exceptionally beautiful. It was made in Germany, probably in the 1960s. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

Looking stylish on the silver satin are a couple of pocket-size Olympus Pearlcorders, the larger one an early SD model and the small one an L400 from the 1980s. Both are from Japan and use microcassettes. Shown behind is a nifty accessory, the DRA 2 FM tuner which docks to the bottom of the SD, making it an FM radio. Cool!

While I say I collect “tape recorders,” the medium (the tape) is not the point exactly. Wire recorders are equally fascinating, and for its stunning good looks the green Telefunken 600 “Portable Dictating Machine” which uses “magnetic recording discs” is in my collection, although it’s basically office equipment. It was made in Germany, probably in the 1960s.

Vintage spy tape recorder, the Tapette, which takes extra-tiny 1.75-inch reels (Japan, mid-'60s). It measures just 8 inches by 2.65 inches. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

The really small Tapette takes extra-tiny 1.75-inch reels (Japan, mid-’60s). With push-button controls on the end, it measures just 8 by 2.65 inches.

Vintage SPY MICROPHONE disguised as a wristwatch. It's the perfect accessory to any collection of spy recorders. Long-sleeve shirt required! 'Let me just check the time; then you can tell me all about the secret rocket plans.' This particular microphone watch acquired with a Minifon P55 wire recorder. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htmAnd here is the perfect accessory in any collection of spy recorders, the external microphone disguised as a wristwatch. I acquired this one with a Minifon P55 wire recorder. Long-sleeve shirt required!

Vintage SPY MICROPHONE disguised as a wristwatch. It's the perfect accessory to any collection of spy recorders. Long-sleeve shirt required! 'Let me just check the time; then you can tell me all about the secret rocket plans.' This particular microphone watch acquired with a Minifon P55 wire recorder. From 'Pocket and Portable Tape Recorders' at the web's largest private collection of antiques & collectibles: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/collections/pocket-recorders.htm

And here is the perfect accessory in any collection of spy recorders, the external microphone disguised as a wristwatch. I acquired this one with a Minifon P55 wire recorder. Long-sleeve shirt required!




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