electric Edison DD phonograph

[phonophan79]

Electric DD on craigslist.

ad at...
http://denver.craigslist.org/atq/1441436158.html

pics at...
https://home.comcast.net/~israelt/edison_1.htm

I've never seen a motor attached to a DD like that. I was surprised that you don't see something with the motor in the shot with the lid open, but I guess it is below the motorboard.

Anyone know what is is? Third party? period?

[brianu]

I believe that the electric mechanism is just for winding and that inside is the standard spring-driven motor - which the electric thing will wind for you... I remember reading about those in - of course - one of the fabrizio/paul books. and yes, they're of the period, well, a bit later than the C-19 (or is that a 250? - can never keep the drawer/slats distinction straight) but still from, I think, the 20's.

[Neophone]

Gents,

IIRC it's called a Motrola. Yup-and here's an old brochure courtesy of Nipperhead.

Regards,
John

[phonophan79]

Thanks for the reference!

In the brochure pictures this is placed where the crank would be... but in the pictures of the actual unit, it's in the back of the machine?

[bbphonoguy]

I believe that the electric mechanism is just for winding and that inside is the standard spring-driven motor - which the electric thing will wind for you... I remember reading about those in - of course - one of the fabrizio/paul books. and yes, they're of the period, well, a bit later than the C-19 (or is that a 250? - can never keep the drawer/slats distinction straight) but still from, I think, the 20's.

The photo of the data plate looks like it's a C-19

[tarheeltinkerer]

On page 202 of the Fourth Edition of The Compleat Talking Machine there is a closeup of the Motrola. Does seem like a handy item

[barnettrp21122]

I've got one that I've used on a VV-XVI. You push a spring-loaded button on top to start the operation. It works okay, though it's noisy, and a bit scary as it barrels along, tightening the springs nearly to their max before shutting off. I wasn't aware that it's supposed to sense when to automatically turn on again to rewind, but the noise during playing would be very intrusive to say the least! I took it off after a short time, preferring the silence and satisfying feeling of gentler manual winding!
Bob

[JohnM]

It was invented by Joseph W. Jones of early phonograph-era fame,

[Brad]

Thanks for the reference!

In the brochure pictures this is placed where the crank would be... but in the pictures of the actual unit, it's in the back of the machine?

Dean,

The motor is on the crank side. If you look closely on the left side of the picture, you can see the knob for the record storage door.

Brad

[barnettrp21122]

Thanks for the reference!

In the brochure pictures this is placed where the crank would be... but in the pictures of the actual unit, it's in the back of the machine?

There's a squared hole in the back of the motor unit that a straight winding shaft fits into. The other end of the shaft is threaded and of the correct length and diameter, depending on the brand and model of machine. The original buyer of these would get the correct straight shaft at the time of purchase, I assume. The buyer would take off the crank escutcheon and fasten a triangle-shaped mounting piece to the cabinet, often being able to use the two existing screw holes. The straight shaft replaces the crank and protrudes from the cabinet about a half-inch. The motor unit is hung on a post on the metal mount, and the squared winding shaft end slips in. Once installed, the motor unit is further held in place by the winding shaft's spring tension off the phonograph motor.
Bob