Many years ago I found one of the earliest larger Rickenbacher (now Rickenbacker) amplifiers I nicknamed the "Big Black Box". It is very similiar to the original 1933 Little Black Box amplifier that was released with the "Frying Pan" A-25 and A-22 cast aluminum electric Hawaiian guitars. It features an extremely early JB Lansing 212 speaker with black crinkle paint and the attached transformer. I date it somewhere from the mid to late 30's from the cabinet design, tube compliment and gold grill identical to the Little Black Box I have too. These were used with the current era Rickenbacher steel guitars and Ken Roberts model electrified Spanish guitar.
Anyone else ever seen one of these or any 212 12" speakers pre-dating the Altec company? I'll send a jpg image over if someone can chime in with any info.
Thanks, Robb