Going for a song?

[SydneyAde]

Hi all

I thought I'd highlight what many others say about the popularity and
value of external vs internal horned machines.

I have not seen very many examples of the C450 XVIII Century English Console on the market locally
in Australia, at least not in the last three years, correct me if I'm wrong.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Edison-Diamo ... 33a6bc3ad6

I would definitely purchase this one, currently on eBay and have it couriered the 500 miles to Sydney if I had the
space available, and it would still be a bargain, I believe. Unfortunately/fortunately I have enough to keep me busy
for the foreseeable future

Ade

[US PHONO]

Is the question not rather: When will one see another, and at this bargain price?

[Oceangoer1]

There was one of these on Craigslist in Colorado Springs, Colorado earlier this summer. It was listed at $200 USD, I thought the cabinet had been re-done/ painted. I didn't know they were actually made like this! Maybe I would have bought it!

[barnettrp21122]

Refinished on the outside, IMO. Compare it to the cabinet insides. I've never seen one so light-colored.

Untouched ones don't seem to get the admiration they deserve in the U.S.
Bob

[52089]

Is the question not rather: When will one see another, and at this bargain price?

Of all the various "high end" Diamond Disc machines, this one is the most common. Not to say they show up every day, but I do see 1 or 2 a year. Australia of course is probably a completely different story.

[SydneyAde]

Thanks for your info and comments UN Phono, Oceangoer, Bob and 52089, informative and interesting.

Bob, I also think your opinion is very valid.

Although the seller states the hand painted paintings on front of cabinet were originally put on in the Edison factory, this may be partially true, if they are just referring to the horn grills, which are probably removable, so Bob, it's very likely your opinion was correct in my view.

I did some further research and George Frow says (p129 Edison Disc Phonographs) the original machine introduced in August 1918 had a Mahogany console standing on four turned legs.

On closer inspection of Frow’s illustration of the machine (also p129), at the top of both of the two front corner posts are vertical decorations, while the subject machine has none, also the two small top recessed panels have decorations that are different to that of the machine for auction.

Also to check on rarity, I consulted Eric Reiss’s The Compleat Talking Machine, and I had incorrectly assumed the C-450 “XVIII Century English” (console) he quotes as having 5 star rarity, is most probably the 6 legged XVIII Century English Art Model, and not the XVIII Century English (Adam).

This forum really does provide a wonderful opportunity to bounce ideas and learn, and I’m very grateful for that.

Ade