Questions about an Edison that I just got

[jboger]

I've included a lot of photos. My first question is, is that horn a repro? I'm inclined to say no. It's big, maybe 30 inches long. Has its original maroon paint. And there are the remains of a label but can't make it out. Maybe someone might recognized the make of the horn from the outline of the label, which is still there. Second question: does this horn go with that machine? It just seems to big, too disproportionate, but what do I know? It does not fit over the reproducer. was there a connector? Third question, what model and date can I assign to this Edison? It has a front bracket but obviously something is missing to support the horn. Can someone direct me to a picture of the missing support? I got this at an auction today. It is a true attic find. The auction was an on-site auction and the contents of the house were being sold. This machine and horn came out of the attic. Both are filthy. The machine does run, however. And the mainsprings are good. Needs a belt. The reproducer says its Model C. Is that the same as the model of the machine? Thanks for any help. By the way, there were at least a hundred Edison Gold Moulded cylinders. Photos follow.

[Jerry B.]

You have a Edison Standard Model B. The Standard B is a two minute cylinder player. When four minute cylinders became available in 1908, a conversion kit was made available for converting your machine to play four minute as well as two minute cylinders. Your machine does not have the conversion kit. The horn is an after market horn made for your machine and others. It is original. Your machine came with a 14" horn with a steel body and brass bell. Owners often wanted larger horns which were provided by several independent manufactures and sold by talking machine dealers. Your horn would hang from the crane and be connected to the "C" reproducer with a rubber connector. Your machine was one of Edison's largest sellers which makes it a bit common but also a very robust and good player. The incomplete horn crane shown is your photo is also correct but also a non-Edison product. Congratulations on your find. Please ask if you have other questions. Replacement parts are easily available. I can see that you need a new belt. Go to the "Links" section of this forum and click under repairs and parts. You can find everything you'll need from parts supplier, Ron Sitko or Wyatt's Musical Americana. Jerry Blais

[jboger]

Jerry: Thanks for the quick reply. So this machine dates to 1908 or earlier. For the time being I will need to set this machine aside. They've been multiplying rather quickly. My attention is on a Vic O. I've located a ratchet wheel to replace the one on that machine. I'm waiting for that to come in the mail. By the way, at another auction not far from the one I went to, a Reginaphone was sold. I wasn't there so I don't know what it sold for. Interesting that my machine and the Reginaphone were both being sold today at non-specialty auctions.

[phonogfp]

Jerry has given you excellent advice and information.

Your horn is a Hawthorne & Sheble - one of the best-known suppliers of aftermarket horns and accessories. Your crane base is also a Hawthorne & Sheble (which makes perfect sense). It's the most popular model the company offered: the No.5. You're missing the adjustable rods, but the good news is that they turn up pretty regularly. I have included a picture below to show what your missing rods look like, but please note that the horn crane in this photo consists of a Tea Tray Company base with the Hawthorne & Sheble rods:

Again, the parts you want are the upper rods - not the base. Set up ebay searches for "horn crane" and "horn support" and you should find the rods you need before too long.

The horn was not designed to fit over the reproducer, but attached to it via a soft rubber connector. These are readily available from the suppliers Jerry mentioned.

Also, your Model B probably dates from earlier than late 1908, but not necessarily, as it was offered side-by-side with the later 2 & 4 minute machines for a short time. If you post your serial number, I can give you a more precise date as to when your machine was sold.

Good luck!

George P.

[jboger]

George: The name plate is very, very dirty but I was able to make out the serial number: S387277. Thanks for the info about the make of the horn support. As I mentioned, I got the machine at an auction. There were a lot of box lots. I did not know what the crane looked like, but I figured if I saw it, I would recognize it for what it was. I searched everywhere, but no luck. I definitely did not see anything like that crane. I don't think it was there. Too bad. I see the label did not come through on the photo.

[phonogfp]

Standard No.387277 would have left the factory about December 1906. At that time, the horn supplied with the Standard was the little 14" black body/brass bell type, so the original owner spent a few dollars more for a larger (and better sounding) horn along with the crane. It's nice to get things out of a house like that. They've been together for over a century.

George P.

[fran604g]

I'd love to see a picture of the inside of the horn, the color is the same as the one I have mounted to my Model B Home, it would neat if they had the same floral decals.

Best,
Fran

[rizbone]

If you are talking at the auction in Westminster MD the Reginaphone brought $5500.00 and possibly tax (no buyers premium). As usual I came in second

[jboger]

Fran604g: here is a picture of the inside of the horn--no flowers. A gold trim around the outer edge. I have not cleaned anything yet, so quite dusty.

[jboger]

Hi rizbone: I figured the big guns would be at the Westminster auction. Thanks for letting me know what it sold for.