Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

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audiophile102
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Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by audiophile102 »

I came across this ad on Craigslist and I wondered what the experts would say about it. It's a long drive from my house. Worth the trip? https://southbend.craigslist.org/atq/d/ ... 43409.html Click on the pictures to enlarge.
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"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."

52089
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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by 52089 »

I don't know a lot about the cabinets, so I can't comment on value there. I would think a nice cabinet like that would be $500 or more, but I'll leave that for others to comment on.

A Home B is a common machine. You should be able to find one in similar shape (machine and reproducer only) for $400 or less without too much trouble. The horn, crane, and cylinders add to that, as does the nice cabinet.

Overall to me $1650 is high. The fact that it was posted a month ago and hasn't sold should tell you that.

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PeterF
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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by PeterF »

As Homes go, I'd rank this one a little higher than most because:

- it's a banner-front B (they switched to plain "Edison" in April 1906 according to Frow), which many might feel has superior aesthetics
- it has the 2/4 minute conversion kit installed, which is useful, and includes the colored-top H reproducer, which is cool
- looks to be in nice cosmetic condition, and probably in good shape mechanically
- Home B has no center bearing to freeze up, and as such is in many ways the best Home to have

And the rest of the outfit has quite a bit of appeal:

- the crane is one of those robust and highly adjustable ones (we'll let George P tell us the make, model, and sales history, if he feels like it) that is a personal favorite of mine (note that it's improperly installed and poised to mar the banner, so be careful when dismantling)
- the horn, although aftermarket, is rather attractive; simple decoration and lots of patina
- the records have value, and who knows what treasures may be hiding amongst their number
- the cabinet is really nice, useful and capacious, and is not one of the more ordinary ones that usually turn up (we'll let George P tell us the make, model, and sales history, if he feels like it)

So as an exercise I assigned values to the components based on eBay sightings and experience, and added up the numbers on the back of this handy napkin. At Full eBay, the price isn't that far off, actually.

If this is to be a first, or only, Edison cylinder machine for you, it's a great outfit. A good approach would be to ask how long it's been for sale (assuming they're honest about that) plus whether it works (chances are they don't know how, or it's gummed up), and ask what their best price would be. See if the price can come down based on one or all of those answers. Also mention the long long drive you would need to make to get there and how the price needs to be less for it to be worth the trip for you.

I'd say that if you start at $1100 and go as high as "splitting the difference" or $1375, you'd be just fine - assuming they say it works. Once you're there you can "discover" other things that can bring your offer down. "Gosh I really like it and want to take it home, especially after coming all this distance...but..."

Nice find, and good luck.

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PeterF
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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by PeterF »

Did you get it?

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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by tomb »

With the full wine rack thrown in $ 1100 to $ 1300 would be fair. I agree with Peter. Tom

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Phonolair
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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by Phonolair »

For what it's worth to anyone, this is what I see.

A Herzog cylinder cabinet that has bee badly restored.
The original front fancy door divider is gone and replaced with a plain board.
The sides from what was cylinder drawers are gone leaving just the bottom of the drawers with pegs.
Bad repair of a split top on the top of the cabinet.

The Edison Home case looks great but for whatever reason the case hardware and horn crane has been painted gold.
From what can be seen of the bedplate the gold stripe looks pretty weak.

The horn has been repainted and since been dropped many times. Leaving bends in the pedals and the paint badly cracked at the bends.

Personally I think its over priced at half the asking price for the Midwest.

Larry Crandell

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audiophile102
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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by audiophile102 »

Thanks everyone for your opinion. I think I'll wait for a better example.
"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."

Stephen_Heatherly
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Re: Expert analysis Needed on Edison Home

Post by Stephen_Heatherly »

Looks like the horn crane did a number on the top of the cabinet.

Stephen

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