THIS ITEM IS SOLD
EDISON SPRING MOTOR PHONOGRAPH
Edison's first attempt to market his Perfected Phonograph ended in failure. The North American Phonograph Company, which had been formed in 1888, rather rapidly went into bankruptcy and was dissolved at the end of 1894. In anticipation of the big sales that never came, Edison had produced a considerable number of battery-driven "Class M" Phonographs. In their original electric-powered forms many remained unsold, and were coupled with the spring motors that began to be offered by firms such the Chicago Talking Machine Company and the American Graphophone Company (Columbia), around 1894. In fact, in 1895 you could by an Edison Class M converted to play with a spring motor from practically everybody EXCEPT Edison! The inventor himself had been involved in various legal wrangling and had not paid attention to how his rivals were getting the jump on him. He was unprepared to manufacture his own spring motors at first, and so contracted with the United States Phonograph Company of Newark, NJ, to produce the his first run of spring motors, in early 1896.
Starting in 1896, Edison began selling his Phonograph with the new triple-main spring motor, and named it without any guile the "Spring Motor Phonograph." The Spring Motor Phonograph was a great success, and remained the most expensive and most powerful Edison Phonograph, even after smaller models were introduced.
One of the most impressive features of the Spring Motor was its "all-encompassing" lid. The entire instrument was enveloped within the prominent, quarter-sawn oak cover. What is especially noteworthy about this particular example is the original, 113-year-old cabinet finish. As you can see, it's still bright and vibrant as the day it was made. The inner cabinet also incorporated a drawer to hold accessories, oil or other necessities.
The enameled works are also in fine condition. Remember, this machine is 113 years old. The Spring Motor was a significant investment at the time, and this one stayed in service for many years. In fact, Edison culture was to greatly encourage clients to maintain and continue to use their Phonographs, adding improvements through the years. Thus it was that the original owner equipped this instrument with a "2 and 4-minute" attachment after 1908. Edison referred to this up-dating process as "Amberolizing" because it allowed the owner of an existing Phonograph to play the new "long playing" 4-minute "Amberol" cylinder records. The up-dating of this machine illustrates how important the Spring Motor Phonograph was in history -- able to transition to successive phases in the development of sound recording as they continued to occur.
The original winding crank.
The Spring Motor is big and robust. Just the cabinet is awe-inspiring! And the condition is fresh. With the valuable conversion to enable it to play both the 2 and the 4-minute cylinder records, it is truly an enduring testament to 19th century technology, that can still be enjoyed -- and played -- today.
Price: $2675.00, including ORIGINAL 14" brass-bell horn, plus s/h (NY State residents must add sales tax if applicable).
(The Spring Motor, as priced above, is equipped with a reproducer either to play the 2 or the 4-minute records. If interested, ask about getting both reproducers.)
E-mail: phonotim@gmail.com
Telephone: 585-244-5546
US Post: PHONOPHAN
PO Box 747
Henrietta, NY 14467 USA