Edison old folks advertisement

[Dustie89]

Wanted to start a thread to gain more knowledge on the subject. I was wanting to know more info about the old folks advertisement the Edison phonograph company issued. I know it was a lithograph from a original. How can u tell real from repros? Were they issued at different times? Any info about the ad would be helpful.

Thanks
Dustin

[Lucius1958]

Wanted to start a thread to gain more knowledge on the subject. I was wanting to know more info about the old folks advertisement the Edison phonograph company issued. I know it was a lithograph from a original. How can u tell real from repros? Were they issued at different times? Any info about the ad would be helpful.

Thanks
Dustin

Well: the original painting by Pompeo Leoni featured the couple listening to a Puck. Edison's agents bought the original, and had it copied, with the Puck replaced by a Home.

Some years ago, a similar painting by Leoni was featured (I believe in Allen Koenigsberg's Antique Phonograph Monthly), that may be a precursor of this: a lone old man, listening to a Puck, in that same pose. The painting was titled "Enrico!": possibly in tribute to Caruso's early AICC recordings.

Bill

[Dustie89]

Very interesting. Did not know the Edison company manipulated it. From what I understand the Edison company sent copies, or lithographs, to dealers. Would these have been textured like a painting? Or smooth?

[De Soto Frank]

On subject of corporate manipulation of art, a brief detour:

When Francis Barraud first painted a picture of a terrier listening to a talking machine, the machine in question was an Edison-Bell cylinder machine.

Barraud shopped his painting to the Edison Bell folks in London, who were not interested.

Barraud then visited the folks at English Victor, who might be interested, if Barraud could replace the cylinder machine with a disc Gramophone...

Barraud accomodated, the painting was sold, and one of the world's most famous and enduring trademarks was born.


At least, this is the way the legend goes...

[NEFaurora]

..Just Like the actual Original Painting? photograph of "Nipper" before it became the actual Nipper "painting" that we all know and love. The original Painting? photograph had the dog listening to an Edison machine, Not a Berliner or Victor machine! True story!

Read the Actual history of Nipper (How Nipper Came to be) Article Below:

http://ourhistory-hayes.blogspot.com/20 ... voice.html


)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[De Soto Frank]

Supposedly, Barraud's initial rendering featured Nipper and the Edison machine on top of the Master's coffin.

This was quickly deemed too morbid, and it was suggested that the coffin be replaced with a generic table.


I am recalling this all from memory, originally reading it in the 1977 edition of Roland Gelatt's "The Fabulous Phonograph".

[Dustie89]

That is very interesting a friend and I had a discussion about the origin of Nipper. We heard a story that the original painting had a Edison phonograph.

Here are a couple of pics of the old folks picture. Can anyone tell if this is repro from the sixties or seventies or a original lithograph from before 1912. Interested in learning how to tell.

Does anyone know if they all came with the same frame?

[Schlick]

Dustie89,

I don't know the origins, but I have one, which was my father's, that I know date's back to the late 50's.

Very similar frame, yet different (size & pattern detail). I think the same size print - although I should really test it with the exact "known" that you used as reference. $ !!

Looks textured and as if it was creased when rolled perhaps?

-Michael

[Dustie89]

Interesting

Does yours have glass? I notice them in different style frames when I see them.

[Schlick]

Interesting

Does yours have glass? I notice them in different style frames when I see them.

Yes, but the glass could have been added at any time.

The Rolfs might be a great resource for this. At least they know everything Nipper! I'm sure they're on here somewhere; I just have trouble putting the usernames with the actual humans... (maybe I should start a cross-reference list...) -Michael