Edison Gem Model D

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HisMastersVoice
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by HisMastersVoice »

Jerry B. wrote:
That's about the going rate for them, if not more. The D (maroon) and the 2 earliest model A's (drip pan & branded case) fetch the highest prices of the GEM range.
Not to argue but I don't recall ever seeing a Model E Gem at Union or any show.

Jerry Blais
I didn't say anything about a model E

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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by Phonofreak »

The Model E gem is the most elusive of all. They are the last of the Gems. They have the large carriage for the 4 min. N reproducer. They are strictly 4 min. They are almost never seen. They go for huge $$$$.
Harvey Kravitz

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phonogfp
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by phonogfp »

I wanted a Model D gem for decades, but the going price (along with a mortgage and two kids) always held me back. Three years ago at Union, I decided to buy a beautiful example for $1300, but by the time I approached the dealer, someone else had bought it. Last fall, after 49 years of collecting, I finally bought one. This one was $1000, but it was quite dirty. Still, you could see the paint was good under all the grime, and the all-important horn paint was unusually good. Here are photos of it after cleaning it up. Believe it or not, the horn paint and body paint match exactly. Lighting these maroon Gems is tricky:
GemD1.JPG
GemD2.JPG
GemD3.JPG
GemD4.JPG
I don't usually show off my acquisitions, but all this maroon Gem talk was too much for me. :)

George P.

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briankeith
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by briankeith »

Show off :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

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hearsedriver
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by hearsedriver »

Are all of the D's maroon? I was just wanting a black combination Gem.

HisMastersVoice
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by HisMastersVoice »

hearsedriver wrote:Are all of the D's maroon? I was just wanting a black combination Gem.
Yes, all of the D's are maroon. The black ones (A, B, C) do not play 4-min.

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TinfoilPhono
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by TinfoilPhono »

Edison did offer a combination kit to fit earlier (black) Gems, but the mainspring on the A, B, and C models is not really up to the task of running four minutes. Consequently Gems with combination attachments are scarce.

I did once see a Gem E at Union, several years back. I regret that I didn't buy it.

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hearsedriver
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by hearsedriver »

I didnt realize that these brought so much money. Moderator, you can delete or lock this ad. Thanks

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phonogfp
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Re: WANTED: Edison Gem Model D

Post by phonogfp »

briankeith wrote:Show off :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol:
I really don't mean to be. I've always admired maroon Gems, and it's obvious that others do too (as reflected by the going prices). I thought photos of a relatively recent acquisition and the price paid might give the OP a better idea of value. I waited many years to find the "right one" - much as Brandon did with his recently-purchased VTLA. I bought this Gem for the same reason: I'll probably never find a nicer one (at least that I could afford!).
hearsedriver wrote:I didnt realize that these brought so much money. Moderator, you can delete or lock this ad. Thanks
You can find a maroon Gem without a horn for much, much less. It's the good original paint on an original horn that really drives the price up. The horn I pictured is a Tea Tray 1-piece horn. These were originally painted black for the Model B and C Gems, but received a second coat of maroon paint to match the Model D. Because of these two coats of paint, the 1-piece horns tend to age better than the 2-piece horns. Unfortunately, the 1-piece maroon horns seem to have been manufactured in smaller numbers.

With respect, there are books available that show a wide variety of phonographs with values. Even older books like The Talking Machine Compendium still give a pretty accurate relative value range among Gems and other Edison Phonographs of the same vintage.

George P.

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Re: Edison Gem Model D

Post by Jerry B. »

I didn't say anything about a model E
I was just suggesting that even as valuable as the drip pan and D Gem are, the E Gem is a click or two more desirable and expensive, nothing more. I love them all!

Respectfully, Jerry Blais

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