Edison Concert Phonograph With Unknown parts

[MTPhono]

Edison-Bell Type Concert:

[MTPhono]

Edison-Bell New Duplex

One interesting aspect to this example is the third mandrel and adaptor to play Pathé Salon cylinders (shown).

[Dulcetto]

Thanks MTphono for posting those great photos which clearly show the differences between the "Concert " and " New Duplex" as sold by Edison - Bell in UK. Pictures speak louder than words as they say , so should be a great help to forum members in identifying the machines if they have not seen many examples "in the flesh". Incidentally , my own "New Duplex " has the same identical case style -- in fact I have never seen an example with a banner decal as shown in the EB catalogue illustrations ( " Edison New Duplex " or " Edison Bell Duplex " as in a later catalogue ). All examples I have seen over 40 years or more , and that's not that many , have had the plain case without a banner decal. Regards Dulcetto

[cmshapiro]

Furthermore , I also wonder why the original poster who says he is 13 years old , told us he " came across a concert phonograph " without any mention that it was actually bought at auction only a matter of 2 or 3 weeks ago ? Why the secret squirrel ? perhaps the op may like to enlighten us further as to whether he bought it , or bought it from someone else ( who bought it - at auction !!) . Although these Concert machines have sold in the past for much higher figures than the £650 paid for this one , one should also wonder why other collectors or dealers did not bid higher. Well the answer must surely be the incorrect case and the missing parts which seldom " just turn up " for Concert machines. Good luck to the new owner , and I hope he manages to find the parts ( and advice ) he needs to complete this fine machine back to its former glory, but of course it may take him a while to do that. Dulcetto

Relax man! He’s a 13 year old kid. Kudos to him for stepping up and buying a really cool machine. When I was a kid starting coming up with that kind of cash took a LOT of work. For some reason your posts seem to have a negative/accusatory tone, but then again tone can be hard to read into on a message board.

[MTPhono]

Thanks MTphono for posting those great photos which clearly show the differences between the "Concert " and " New Duplex" as sold by Edison - Bell in UK. Pictures speak louder than words as they say , so should be a great help to forum members in identifying the machines if they have not seen many examples "in the flesh". Incidentally , my own "New Duplex " has the same identical case style -- in fact I have never seen an example with a banner decal as shown in the EB catalogue illustrations ( " Edison New Duplex " or " Edison Bell Duplex " as in a later catalogue ). All examples I have seen over 40 years or more , and that's not that many , have had the plain case without a banner decal. Regards Dulcetto

I've only seen the plain cases too (3 total). I'll review the Paul/Fab books tonight and see if there is such a labeled beast. Did the other plain cases you've seen have the Edison-Bell stamp on the lid?

[soundgen]

Furthermore , I also wonder why the original poster who says he is 13 years old , told us he " came across a concert phonograph " without any mention that it was actually bought at auction only a matter of 2 or 3 weeks ago ? Why the secret squirrel ? perhaps the op may like to enlighten us further as to whether he bought it , or bought it from someone else ( who bought it - at auction !!) . Although these Concert machines have sold in the past for much higher figures than the £650 paid for this one , one should also wonder why other collectors or dealers did not bid higher. Well the answer must surely be the incorrect case and the missing parts which seldom " just turn up " for Concert machines. Good luck to the new owner , and I hope he manages to find the parts ( and advice ) he needs to complete this fine machine back to its former glory, but of course it may take him a while to do that. Dulcetto

Relax man! He’s a 13 year old kid. Kudos to him for stepping up and buying a really cool machine. When I was a kid starting coming up with that kind of cash took a LOT of work. For some reason your posts seem to have a negative/accusatory tone, but then again tone can be hard to read into on a message board.

I have to say Dulcetto's point about a 13 year olds first punt into gramophones / phonographs is this machine at £650 , if he had found it at a car boot for £20 that would be more likely , perhaps he will enlighten us as to his finding it and also why he hasn't found anything before for £20 to whet his nascent interest ?

[Sidewinder]

I think its great that young people are still getting getting interested in the hobby. I bought my first machine (portable) when I was 11. So congratulations to this young man for his finding the best hobby, and having a good eye. Buy the best you can afford is the best advice, and he is following it. I saw a video he made & uploaded - excellent & congratulations.

[Dulcetto]

Thanks Mike ( soundgen ) for your input . That was the point I was making exactly. 13 year olds don't usually have the knowledge or funds to buy something like this as a first machine , so I was curious to know more. Certainly no negativity intended on my part as cmshapiro suggests. As Mike ( sidewinder) rightly says , its good to know there are at least a few youngsters getting into this fascinating world. However , I just felt there was something in the story here that has not been mentioned. Simply curious , that's all. Perhaps Thomas1899 may like to come back into this thread at some point and let us know how he is getting on with the restoration ! Regards to all Dulcetto

[Dulcetto]

To answer MTphono 's question , Yes , all the three or four examples I have seen of the " New Duplex" have the same case style with the Edison - Bell " Bell " transfer centrally placed on the lid , as per MTphono's example. My own "New Duplex" has the " Bell " transfer too, as do three other cylinder phonographs I have here at present, a " Gem " , " Empire " and " Triumph ". Regards Dulcetto

[MTPhono]

To answer MTphono 's question , Yes , all the three or four examples I have seen of the " New Duplex" have the same case style with the Edison - Bell " Bell " transfer centrally placed on the lid , as per MTphono's example. My own "New Duplex" has the " Bell " transfer too, as do three other cylinder phonographs I have here at present, a " Gem " , " Empire " and " Triumph ". Regards Dulcetto

Thanks for the information regarding the EB lid transfer. Are you in the UK?