Edison Business Phonograph - Need Advice Please

[JerryVan]

This Edison Business Phonograph is being offered for sale to the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum in Detroit. We need to know what vintage it is, and what would be a respectable offer for it. The seller is apparently being somewhat open minded as to price and open to our offer.

https://www.fordpiquetteplant.org/

Business Phono.PNG (907.15 KiB) Viewed 630 times

[Phono-Phan]

Quite a few variables to determine value. Does it run, what are the conditions of the reproducer, recorder, is there a cover, etc...?

[JerryVan]

Quite a few variables to determine value. Does it run, what are the conditions of the reproducer, recorder, is there a cover, etc...?

All excellent questions! Wish I had answers... Instead, all I have is this photo. In the museum, it would be on display in a vintage office setting, so function is not important from that standpoint. I have reason to believe there is a lid however.

[phonohound]

Hi Jerry

I agree with all that Ken said. I believe this is approximately 1909 due to the Mandrel shape. Earlier versions were bullet shaped. This machine appears to be electric powered and may be missing many accessories such as the lid, horn and crane, remote foot pedal, etc. Can you get more photos? Condition is everything with these. If most of the items are missing but the machine works, I'd ballpark it at about 150 to 200 or lower if the decal is poor.

Here is a pic of my late Model C, circa 1907 , 100% original and complete to give you an idea.

Hope this helps

Scott

[rgordon939]

Looking at the condition of the machine I would say $500 would be fail. I have a much nicer one that I would value at $800 to $900. It complete, runs, and in excellent condition.

Rich Gordon

[JerryVan]

Scott,

This is excellent information! Thanks much. I assume at some point we'll have a closer look at the item.

[JerryVan]

Wow! Very nice Rich! Thank you!

[phonohound]

Jerry

You're welcome.

I should also add that the later the model, the more accessories that were available. For example, the first model, circa 1905 did not have a horn, but rather a speaking tube and hearing tubes and originally was available with a black metal tripod stand. The foot petal, soon followed, along with the horn option, then the ruler and pencil option. The tripod stand evolved into the 4 legged stand, which looks like what yours may be sitting on. You can't fit all these accessories on any one model. The earliest model will not accept a horn or ruler/pencil attachment.

When you have a chance, look at the patent plate to see what model it is. My guess would be a late Model D. This was soon followed by the metal cased D and then the model E. Then all this became the Ediphone.

[phonohound]

Updated photo to show foot pedal.

[Phono-Phan]

That is one impressive set up Scott. Everything is in such great condition also. Do you know of any other accessories that were used on these?