The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Rene

Is my 726 the lowest oak serial number so far? I believe oak came out in 1912, but not sure what month. If that is the case, we may be able to pinpoint those Operas that were made in 1911. Anyone know when Operas ere discontinued?

thanks

As of now, yours is indeed the earliest oak Opera I have recorded. But I need a lot more numbers to feel comfortable drawing major conclusions.

Frow claims that oak Operas were released in February 1912. He also claims that a Concert, #4604, dates to 1914. But there's nothing in his book to back that up. He writes that Edison announced the end of production of outside horn phonographs on October 1, 1913.

They may even recognize each other!

Rene

I agree with horn phonographs being cleared out by October 1913, but the School Opera was still produced until early 1914, according to Frow.

What I meant in my post earlier was once you obtain a larger universe of Operas, we should be able to pinpoint a cutoff of Operas made in 1911 and then those from 1912 forward.

While the School Phonograph was still available in 1914, I seriously doubt any were made that late. Early School serial numbers are intermixed with Operas, but there's a block of about 200 in the mid-3000s that (so far) has no Operas intermixed. And none appear any higher than that major block.

I believe that after making a few to order, Edison made a large run of School Phonographs for inventory. He clearly expected more demand than they actually generated; he was forced to discount them to unload the last of that run in 1914.

I do hope that as the database grows we can make some realistic assumptions about other details.

My #1741 (35 away from yours) was also found in Canada (Vancouver). There must have been a batch sent to BC which ours are a part of.

#1
Serial number 3843
Wood- mahogany
Owner - me
Notes - opera


#2
Serial number 3204
Wood - oak
Owner - me
Notes - opera

#3
Serial number 3417
School opera
Owner - me
Notes - you have the details already.
Bought this off a collector here in Victoria Australia. He owned it for about 35 years and he picked it up in Adelaide. I waited about 13 years for the opportunity to buy this.

Thanks for everyone’s input. It will be fascinating to see what conclusions can be drawn.

Stephen

I did a google search for Edison Opera Phonograph and came up with lots of hits. I went to the images page and began clicking on them. Most were from auctions. I am listing what I found below. I'm sure that there are many more listed on the internet if people want to look for them.

Harry

#141
Mahogany

#3050
Oak
with handles
(Christies Auction)

#981
Oak

#3072
Oak

#10
Mahogany

#2407
Oak

#2947
Mahogany

#2401
Oak

#2268
Mahogany

#888
Oak


#2358
Mahogany

#1302
Oak

#1105
Oak

#1340
Mahogany

#1014
Mahogany

#3772
Oak

#4180
Mahogany

#2822
Mahogany

#755
Mahogany

#626
Mahogany

#1862
Mahogany

#138
Mahogany

#1426
Mahogany

#101
Mahogany

#2900
Mahogany

#2667
Oak

#784
Oak

#2087
Mahogany
#695
Mahogany

#4075
Mahogany
Concert

#564
Oak

#806
Oak

#3641
Mahogany

#3246
Oak

Serial # 938
Wood oak
Owner Me
Notes Opera


Serial # 2856
Wood Mahogany
Owner Me
Notes Opera

Thanks for that lengthy list! I had done a lot of Google searching as well, and found lots of listings. However you found many that I had missed.

I had to go back to Google to double-check one on your list, #564. That would put the first oak example a couple of hundred numbers earlier than the first I had previously found. I see it sold at Christie's in 2002, and it's unquestionably oak in the photo. I wish there were a picture of the plate to confirm the serial number, but I'll have to trust that Christie's transcribed it correctly.

The tally is now up to 185. That's great progress for a project that's only a few days old, and over the Christmas holiday at that. I hope we can double this number in coming weeks and months! (I know, maybe not realistic but it would sure help.)

Thanks to everyone who has participated.