“This circa 1935 portable phonograph is featured in the entrance to Studio 54: Night Magic. Today, while playing records is a fairly specialized activity and music is typically heard on the more compact iPhone, I always enjoy seeing this aluminum phonograph ‘suitcase’ because it is such an extraordinarily crafted object. Made from aluminum—which was expensive in the 1930's—inside it contained slots to carry your favorite records. Chart-topping artists of the era included musical film stars Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire and chanteuse Billie Holliday. A portable, battery-powered phonograph allowed you to play music outside or on a boat or in a dancehall, and bring lots of joy wherever you went! Looking forward to the ’re-opening’ of Studio 54, so everyone can see this great Brooklyn Museum collection object."

Posted by Matthew Yokobosky

John Vassos (American, born Romania, 1898-1985). RCA Victor Special Model K, Portable Electric Phonograph, ca. 1935. Aluminum, various metals, plastic, felt, leather. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Benno Bordiga, by exchange, 1995.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)