Spotted on Ebay: Rare original Mikiphone Pocket Phonograph

This is the original Mikiphone Pocket Phonograph. Unlike the later Mikky Phone, which was manufactured in Occupied Japan well into the 20th century, the original Mikiphone was built in Switzerland by Paillard in the 1920's and was intended to resemble -- in both size and appearance -- a large Swiss pocket watch. As you can see in the photographs, Swiss Mikiphones are works of art. The machine has an ingenious fold down tone-arm, a circular resonator crafted out of celluloid, a tiny turntable that actually supports a 10" record and a full size proprietary reproducer. In essence, everything you need to make a working phonograph "on the fly," all designed to fit neatly inside the Mikiphone's distinctive (& very cool) 4" diameter nickeled cannister.

What sets this Mikiphone apart from other Mikiphones -- in addition to its condition, which as you can see is outstanding and 100% original -- is the fact that it's 100% complete, including its original leather case and something even more elusive.

Indeed, this Mikiphone solves a riddle that has baffled many if not most antique phonograph collectors for years -- the question being: what's the little rectangular thing pictured on the lid diagram, with a No. 5 printed on it? That mystery component is the original tin of needles that was included with the instrument when it was new, and I doubt there are more than a handful of them left on planet earth. One in that handful is right here, with its original needles and paper still intact. As if that weren't wonderful enough, the tin itself is in excellent condition, with no dents, dings, rust or other damage and original color litho that exhibits hardly any wear.
World's Most Perfect Mikiphone Pocket Phonograph * 1926 - eBay (item 190283177336 end time Feb-08-09 17:45:00 PST)