Opinions about my unusual Edison Home

[Valecnik]

I've long since sold off the first and second phonographs I owned but this is the third, in my collection since nearly the beginning.

I didn't realize it when I bought it but have since theorized it's a B model that at some point was dropped into a later D, E model case. Am I correct or is it possible that this case and works have been together since day one? Note the earlier style crank and subsequently added 2 & 4 minute gearing.

Also hoping George P. will advise when this one might have left the factory. The serial number is 241339.

[martinola]

The main run of Late style cases I've seen start around 339000. There are of course, here and there, earlier serial numbers with Late style cases. Some of them are obviously put together at a much later date. BUT, the factory did have a service for converting earlier unsold machines to "model D". It is not inconceivable that yours was one of those. It does look like it has been together a long time.

Regards,
Martin

[phonogfp]

Hi Bruce,

Home No.241339 left the factory about December 1906. It looks like your theory is correct that the works were later dropped into a later cabinet. Still a beautiful example!

George P.

[Valecnik]

Hi Bruce,

Home No.241339 left the factory about December 1906. It looks like your theory is correct that the works were later dropped into a later cabinet. Still a beautiful example!

George P.

Thanks George. Yes, it's a real work horse too. This was the main phono I used for cylinders for several years, until I finally got a Triumph. The more you play them the better they run!

[Valecnik]

The main run of Late style cases I've seen start around 339000. There are of course, here and there, earlier serial numbers with Late style cases. Some of them are obviously put together at a much later date. BUT, the factory did have a service for converting earlier unsold machines to "model D". It is not inconceivable that yours was one of those. It does look like it has been together a long time.

Regards,
Martin

Thanks Martin. I've had it since about 1980 and the collector I got it from, now deceased had it for many years before that. The works certainly has evolved though, from a straigt 2 min player, probably in an earlier case to a 2/4 minute machine with a cygnet and large carriage.

[PeterF]

My first machine was a banner-front Home B, and I no longer have it. But I do recall reading in Frow way back then that the banner gave way to the "Edison" decal in April 1906 - I remember that date because April 1906 was a pretty big month here in my home town of San Francisco. I'm only slightly shaky on the details.

Other than the decals, are there any differences between the Home B cabinets and the D and later models?

[Valecnik]

My first machine was a banner-front Home B, and I no longer have it. But I do recall reading in Frow way back then that the banner gave way to the "Edison" decal in April 1906 - I remember that date because April 1906 was a pretty big month here in my home town of San Francisco. I'm only slightly shaky on the details.

Other than the decals, are there any differences between the Home B cabinets and the D and later models?

I'd have to check/measure but I believe the B cabinets are a bit taller and the bottom molding rather plain compared to the more decorative and larger D style molding.

[De Soto Frank]

I believe somewhere in a the C or D run, the case was revised from the early style "box on a base-board" to the "taller box with integral base moulding".


The presence of the end-gate, "tufts of grass" corner decoration, and the 2/4 with shift-lever all suggest Model B to me.


Perhaps it was re-cased when it was "Amberolized" with the horizontal carriage ?

[martinola]

The main run of Home B Tall style cases seem to shift from Banner transfer to Edison script by about #213000. I'm not sure what date that makes it.

@ Frank: I think we all agree that this is a model B machine which normally would have had a Tall style case. My point was that it might possibly have had the factory conversion. The literature said it was a conversion to model D. But I'm guessing that it was loose nomenclature for adding the 2 & 4 minute gearing. Perhaps it happened another way. A lot can happen in 70 years...

Martin

[phonogfp]

The main run of Home B Tall style cases seem to shift from Banner transfer to Edison script by about #213000. I'm not sure what date that makes it.
Martin

Home sales hit 213,000 during September 1906, which is the same month the decal change was announced in The Edison Phonograph Monthly.

George P.