EDISON PHONOGRAPH
Back in 1903 it cost extra to order an Edison Phonograph in mahogany. VERY few people ordered them -- firstly because of the added cost, secondly because most home decor at the time was in oak. Of all the Edison machines and models you could hope to find in mahogany, this "banner" Home is by far the prettiest. In 1905/06 they switched over to the simple word "Edison" on the front of the cabinet. To our modern eyes, this simplified decoration, even in mahogany, just does not have the stunning impact of the instrument you see above. In other words, if you had to choose a model to have in rare mahogany, this one is the sweetest.
The finish is original, decal original, all components (except for the historically correct horn) are original. And everything is spotlessly clean.
Three words to describe the mechanism -- clean, clean, CLEAN. No gunked-up eBay monstrosities. No patched-up, jury-rigged catastrophes from your local antique shop. For 48 years, phonophan has given you nothing short of the best. Even the shaving device (for making home recordings) is completely intact -- and that's a component frequently missing. Every bit of old grease or oil has been painstakingly cleaned away. The black enamel literally shines like new. The upper mechanism has a rubber suspension that of course falls apart over the years and has to be replaced. We understand how the machine was originally fitted out, so our rubber suspension is in every way correct and accurate. The average home-handyman neither understands what needs to be done, nor takes the meticulous care to do it. Phonophan spends more time than anyone else making sure that even the smallest element is perfectly correct.
Please note a fascinating historical feature -- Edison installed small metal buttons in the four corners of the wooden motor frame. They understood that because mahogany is a softer wood that oak, this measure would keep the frame from getting worn when the lid was removed and replaced.
The shaver can be seen to the right of the ID plate.
The cabinet finish is original and displays a noble patina of age. There are a few bumps and scrapes, as must be expected from a utilitarian object of this age. This machine was played and enjoyed back in the day, and has signs of age, mixed with compellingly wonderful preservation. However, you can see that this spotlessly clean instrument has extraordinary beauty.
The deep, rich mahogany color is fully intact -- not faded -- or darkened to the look of mud, as sometimes happens. These rare, rare mahogany instruments were reddish in color, with a robust aubergine undertone. Mahogany Edisons, when refinished, and especially when refinished by the average home-handyman, often lack any character. That is why original factory finish is especially important.
Original winding crank.
Motor, clean and adjusted. With a proper new leather belt -- what do you get on eBay? A jury-rigged rubber band!
If you are a dedicated collector, you already know how extraordinary
this instrument is. If you are new to the hobby, allow us to say that
the opportunity to purchase a machine of this rarity and beauty, and
historical correctness is in itself a rarity! In our 48 years, this
instrument is in the top ten of the
most uncommon, exquisite machines we have ever offered.
Price: including historically accurate 14" brass-bell replica horn, and a cylinder record-- Price: $3250.00 US, plus shipping and handling. (NY State residents must pay sales tax, if applicable.)
E-mail: phonotim@gmail.com
Telephone: 585-244-5546