SOLD: Edison maroon Gem, complete - $850

[TinfoilPhono]

(SOLD) I've had the machine since April 1996 (!) and I have to say that it displays better than the pictures might indicate. I tried to emphasize the flaws in my pictures so there would be no surprises. It looks better in real life, though obviously not perfect.

It was working when I got it but it has spent 23 years on a high shelf and is definitely in need of some cleaning and oiling. The motor runs but the belt is slipping so that needs replacing. The rubber connector to the horn is aged and cracked but I can include a brand new one. I never really cared about running it since for me it was just a display piece, a "shelf queen" as some people call it. Gems are obviously not the greatest machines for actual use, but they are wonderful to look at -- especially the maroon Gem.

The good:
- original K reproducer.
- excellent paint on the machine itself.
- better than average original paint on the inside of the horn, and much of the outside (these are very prone to flaking).
- all original with the possible exception of the crane (I'm simply not sure).

The bad:
- the finish on the lid is flaking and rough. I never cared about this because the lid was stored in a closet anyway.
- the paint on the small cone end of the horn is mostly gone, but this isn't very noticeable when displayed.
- the paint on the outside of the horn has small areas with problems.
- it needs some basic TLC if you want to play it. The spring and governor are fine, and it does run, but I haven't played it in decades. (After so many years the spring might be 'set' and need replacing.)

The bad for me is that I way overpaid for it. I paid $1450 in 1996........... But that was the going rate for good examples at the time, and it's devilishly hard to find good ones. (Again, I didn't care about the finish on the lid.) I recognize that the market has softened in recent years so I would sell it for $850 plus shipping at cost.

I can send more (and/or larger) pictures by email (contact me at [email protected]).

[Valecnik]

Regarding the price you paid in 1996 Rene, I feel your pain. I paid $1600 for mine about the same time. Now it sets on top of a bookshelf next to the Victor Royal I paid $1450 for about a year before I bought the GEM.

Still I don't regret either purchase.