Uncommon Edison Cylinder reproducer "H"

[EdisonReproducers]

The B series stopped around B99,997 due to the factory fire. The C series started after the fire in 1915. From C1 to around C10,000 the tops are pot metal and have the same font. From around C10,000 to C15,000 the tops are pot metal with a different font. From around C15,000 to C19,999 the tops are brass with only the serial number stamped in the top.

Look at the limit loop it it wide like the business machine one. I will get more specific if you like.

Steve

[EdisonReproducers]

There are at least 6 different Model H stylus bars not counting the ones made for the Idelia. Your reproducer has the last style of bar. I believe Edison made the tops for the late CHK reproducers in the 1920's. Ron D. told me in 1915 and after the diaphragms are nickel plated copper for the CHK. Ron also told me that Edison went to cork gaskets in 1924. In the 1920's before the cork gaskets Edison used wider gaskets. Edison made the tops for the CHK reproducers all at once and assembled them as needed. Some of these tops have the wider gaskets, some of these tops have cork so I know they were not assembled all at once. The highest serial number I have seen is C19,999. I assume around 5,000 of these were made, if 20% of these reproducers survived that means around 1000 are left. The Model K is the least common. Edison used different parts to complete them. For example Model H with serial number C16,683 has a weight that is hand stamped H 4 M I N. I have seen one of these tops with a Model S weight and the wide gaskets, the nickel plated diaphragm, and the last style of stylus. The diameter of the taper is much smaller which makes the .015 head or knob look larger. Some of the common Model H styli barely have a taper. I have rotated hundreds of sapphire styli and there is a difference.

I would guess your H was made in 1924 or later. The Edison continued to sell reproducers and parts into the 1950's. I have one of these Model H reproducers with its shipping box that was mailed from Thomas A. Edison Industries to a man in Indiana. The form number of the return label is dated 6-36. It looks like a smaller version of the box Edison mailed the DD reproducers in. The reproducer is near mint.

Your reproducer should have a nickel plated diaphagm, the wide limit loop, and the slit where they drilled and tapped the holes for the hinge block. I do not know why the slit is there unless it was made to oil the hinge block threads.

Ron D: Edison finally switched to cork gaskets in 1924 because they kept their suppleness longer than rubber...

Ron was born in 6-28-37. He was 16 in 1953 when he purchased the used DD reproducer for $6.00. W. A. Hayes sold it to him. Hayes died in 1956. Ron never thought to ask Hayes questions about recording techniques.

Any other questions please ask me.

Steve

[fmblizz]

Thanks so much for you expert explanation Steve. You can never know enough about this hobby. I hesitated even buying the machine at first because I felt the reproducer was a mishmash of parts but the sound was really not that bad. LOL

Blizz

[EdisonReproducers]

Edison is the king of variety, no definate cut offs, and he kept on making improvements. You see later machines and reproducers with earlier parts. The late reproducers are extremely interesting. Edison sold them until the end and even after 1929. I would be interested in photos of the reproducers and the machine. Did the machine come with records? It is very interesting that some people still used the Model H in the 1920's.

The B to K share serial numbers. From late 1901 to December 1914 around 2.1 million of these reproducers were made. After 1915 around 20,000 CHK reproducers were made. Edison made the ICS H, the CHK reproducers, two and four minute recorders in the 1920's. It is impossible to know when the last ones were assembled aside from the cork gasket dating. He also made the Diamond A reproducer in the 1920's. Edison really cared about his customers.

Steve

[VanEpsFan1914]

Well, look at us still using the Model H even today-- I am impressed they still had Edison's parts department operating into the '50s; that's just awesome.

[EdisonReproducers]

I think if Edison came back the thing that would amaze him the most is the love people still have for his phonograph.

[AmberolaAndy]

What about their use in the ICS amberola 30s?

[EdisonReproducers]

I can send photos if you like. The ICS H started out with numbers for serial numbers, then went to the A series then the B series. B3123 is the pot metal top with the different font, B4425 is the nickel plated brass top with just the serial number. The ICS Amberola 30 also came with a four minute recorder. The final 2 and 4 minute recorders have just the serial numbers on the nickel plated brass tops.

Recorder 580097 is the latest brass top (with TAE Inc., 4 minute recorder) I know of before they went to the A serial numbers.
Pot metal tops:
A 272 has all the lettering and the regular serial number is on the rim around the sound tube.
A 929 has all the lettering and the larger serial number under the word RECORDER.
A 8934 top has no lettering and the larger serial number under the word RECORDER.
Late two minute with brass top: A 10068 top has no lettering at all and the larger serial number.

The B series of recorders all appear to have the nickel plated brass tops with only the serial numbers.

Steve