Did Some Amberola 50s Lack the ID Tag?

[MikeB]

I just picked up a rather nice original Amberola 50. but I can't find a metal ID tag anywhere on it. I have seen these tags on the top plate to the rear of the mandrel, but this one has the Edison signature decal there. I can see no spot on the inside where it would have been, and there is no room anywhere for it on the top plate. This is the second Amberola 50 I have seen that lacks a ID tag like this one. Did some of the 50s originally lack an ID tag?

[Jerry B.]

Over the production life span of late Amberolas the ID tag moved around a bit. Since it's not obvious, check behind the grill next to the horn on the right side. If it's not there check for four tiny nail holes somewhere on the cabinet. That would suggest it's actually missing. Please report back.

Jerry B.

[FellowCollector]

Late Amberola 30, 50, 75's often have their ID plates pinned inside the left front side of the lid. As far as I know all Amberolas were factory released with an ID plate so if yours is not found after a thorough search then it was likely removed sometime before you got it.

Doug

[MikeB]

I see no tag and no evidence that there ever was one anywhere. I took off the grills and looked inside thoroughly. There are no nail holes anywhere. I think the most likely place would have been under the lid on the left front, however there is absolutely no indication that a tag was ever there. The machine is in excellent original condition. So either they forgot to put it on at the factory or there were a small number of these released with no tags, I think. Like I say, it is the second one like this I've seen. (I sold the other.)

[Damfino59]

That Amberola 50 has some interesting features.

Early reproducer carriage with one thumb screw.

Early front horn pivot/support.

Normally the above features would include an external speed control. And a nickel plated C reproducer.

Well anything can happen to a phonograph in over a hundred years. Replacement parts or the Edison factory using what’s available in the stock bins to fulfill Christmas rush!

Glenn

[MikeB]

That Amberola 50 has some interesting features.

Early reproducer carriage with one thumb screw.

Early front horn pivot/support.

Normally the above features would include an external speed control. And a nickel plated C reproducer.

Well anything can happen to a phonograph in over a hundred years. Replacement parts or the Edison factory using what’s available in the stock bins to fulfill Christmas rush!

Glenn

Thanks, Glenn. I will post some better pictures so maybe we can solve the mystery. This machine really is in exceptional original condition.

[MikeB]

Here are more pictures. Where is the speed control?

[Lucius1958]

Here are more pictures. Where is the speed control?

The speed control should have been sticking out of the top of the gear cover on early models.

BTW, in the 4th photo, I see a lighter rectangular patch inside the case, with two holes, just where the ID tag once was.

- Bill

[MikeB]

Here are more pictures. Where is the speed control?

The speed control should have been sticking out of the top of the gear cover on early models.

BTW, in the 4th photo, I see a lighter rectangular patch inside the case, with two holes, just where the ID tag once was.

- Bill

Thanks, Bill. You are right about that shadow. I did not see that. So the tag was to the right of the horn. And I think I figured out the speed control. It looks like it is this screw with a washer that is only accessible when you take off the gear cover.

[NEFaurora]

I am going to chime in here.. This machine carries an Amberola 30/50/75 "Series 1" Bedplate with the big Countersunk screws and painted Edison Signature. The Speed Control/Governor housing cover was most likely changed for a later Series 2/Series 3 Speed control Control/Governor housing cover (NO external Speed Control). Having only 1 Reproducer thumbscrew also points it to being Series 1 Machine. The Horn Mounting also points to it being a Series 1 Machine (Middle of Series 1 Production) with "looped" Horn Mount Pivot catch. Me Thinks that someone has been making a "Hodgepodge" machine here....or just replaced the Governor housing for a much later one. If that bedplate and motor is original to the machine as well as the case, He should find two small mounting holes for the Amberola 50 "Black and Aluminum" Series 1 Serial ID Plate Behind the Front Grille to the right side of the Horn...otherwise someone did a "Mix 'n Match Job"... It certainly did not come that way originally.... From what I have seen over the years on many examples, Amberola 50's usually follow a lot of the same rules as the Amberola 30 (with the addition of the double mainspring of course..lol..) especially with the way that the Dataplates (Serial Number ID Plates) were mounted. The Amberola 75 did not. I've seen some dataplates mounted in some weird places on 75's.

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer
Melbourne, Florida