Vintage Califone Director II Portable Record Player

A nostalgic Califone Director II portable phonograph, the type of rugged record player once commonly found in American schools, libraries and classrooms. Housed in a substantial carrying case, the unit features a large speaker mounted inside the lid and a multi-speed turntable capable of playing 16, 33, 45 and 78 RPM records.

The front control panel includes separate bass and treble adjustments along with phonograph, microphone and external speaker connections. Built for repeated institutional use rather than the living room, machines like this were designed to be carried from room to room for lessons, music and educational recordings.

Today, these unmistakable suitcase-style players are wonderful survivors of the pre-digital classroom and instantly recognizable to generations who grew up watching the teacher wheel out the record player.