Bidspirit auction | The Gem Earphone Co. Antique

The Gem Earphone Co. Antique Portable Carbon Hearing Aid Set in Original Case - An early 20th-century portable carbon-microphone hearing aid system manufactured by The Gem Earphone Co. of New York. The set consists of a microphone transmitter unit with a leather-wrapped handle and a circular black housing featuring a central mechanical adjustment dial. A single black earpiece is connected to the system by a black fabric-covered electrical cord. The power source is a separate battery unit with a leather-wrapped body and a red composition top featuring two metal contact pins. The set is contained within its original rectangular black pebble-grained carrying case with a snap-button closure and a red fabric-lined interior divided into three fitted compartments. The exterior of the case lid is gold-stamped with the characters THE GEM EARPHONE CO. NEW YORK. The red top of the battery component is molded with the characters GEM 1A. The rim of the black circular transmitter housing is embossed with the characters PAT. APPLD FOR. Construction materials include leather or leatherette, molded black plastic, red composition material, metal hardware, and fabric-covered wiring.