Black stuff on C250 frieze

[gunnarthefeisty]

I've seen a few Edison C250s/C19s as well as smaller models with some sort of black finish on the frieze just under the lid. Is this simply dirt, or an actual finish that was put on?
Thanks,
Gunnar

[Jerry B.]

You might try some non-pumice GoJo or Goop for a gentle cleaning cleaning with a cloth or carefully with 0000 steel wool. I think the best advice is to start gentle.

Jerry B.

[gunnarthefeisty]

You might try some non-pumice GoJo or Goop for a gentle cleaning cleaning with a cloth or carefully with 0000 steel wool. I think the best advice is to start gentle.

Jerry B.

I don't have one, was just curious if the C19s were meant to have any sort of coloration there, or if it's just meant to be wood.

[Jerry B.]

The trim under the lid should match the rest of the finish.

Jerry B.

[JohnM]

He didn’t believe me, I guess!

[Silvertone]

On one original example that I owned and others that I have seen, the background of the frieze was finished black to give the illusion that the frieze was open and that you were looking through it.

[JeffR1]

When I stripped & restored mine, it was black paint there, not dirt.

[gunnarthefeisty]

When I stripped & restored mine, it was black paint there, not dirt.

That's what I suspected. I'm going to buy one in a few days, and so I should be able to confirm this theory.

[JeffR1]

When I stripped & restored mine, it was black paint there, not dirt.

That's what I suspected. I'm going to buy one in a few days, and so I should be able to confirm this theory.

Here is what I know about them, the C250 was before the first world war and has drawers, the C19 has no drawers and they have been replaced by record slots after the war.
I got that info from this book.

https://www.amazon.ca/Edison-Disc-Phono ... 0950546259

[phonogfp]

Here is what I know about them, the C250 was before the first world war and has drawers, the C19 has no drawers and they have been replaced by record slots after the war.
I got that info from this book.

https://www.amazon.ca/Edison-Disc-Phono ... 0950546259

There's much more information - and more accurate information - in a series of articles by Fran Pratt that appeared in the APS magazine from December 2015 - September 2016. Fran also developed this database, which is posted as one of the free online articles on the APS website:

https://www.antiquephono.org/edison-c-2 ... -1925-pdf/

George P.