1946 Capitol Phonograph - "It's Been A Long, Long Time", Harry James & Kitty Kallen

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"It's Been a Long, Long Time", performed by Harry James & His Orchestra with vocal by Kitty Kallen, on V-Disc (No. 535A). This record is being played on my 1946 Capitol Phonograph (Model No. D-17).

The phonograph was purchased by my Dad from Gabberts, a tire and appliance store in downtown Minneapolis in 1946 or 1947 (Gabberts would later change to a general home furnishings store seven years later and is now a large well known furniture retailer in the Twin Cities area). This phonograph was one of my Dad's first major appliance purchases after having served with the Marine Corps in World War II. My Dad gave this phonograph to his parents a few years later, which provided some of their entertainment through the mid 1970's on their farm in Hinckley, Minnesota. I remember listening to it often as a child when my family would visit my grandparents.

The phonograph retains all of its original cabinetry and original finish. The only necessary repairs or improvements I have made include a complete electronic recapping of the 108 watt amplifier, new vacuum tubes, new idler wheel, modern ceramic phono cartridge (to replace the original Astatic crystal cartridge, which used a replaceable steel needle), and a new grille cloth. The phonograph still retains its original and untouched 7-inch Jenson speaker.