Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

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Andersun
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Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by Andersun »

Make: Edison
Model: Standard Class S
Serial # 271
Year(s) Made: 1898 to 1901
Original Cost: $20.00 or $25.00 for Polyphone
Case/Cabinet Size: H 8 ⅝" Base 11 ⅝" X 8 ½""
Mandrel: Nickel Plated
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Standard Speaker or dual Automatic reproducers w/ Polyphone.
Motor: Single Spring
Horn Dimensions: 14" brass or tin.
Reproduction Parts: none.
Current Value: ----
Interesting Facts: Very early serial number, single securing screw on reproducer carriage clips (non-polyphone), no end bearing set screws, lower profile case, and no gear cover. Polyphone carriage is 1st generation using plain automatic reproducers. No connecting hardware between reproducers (Polyphone). Also has a cylinder shaver on it.
Attachments
Note only one screw per carriage clip.
Note only one screw per carriage clip.
Cds1.JPG
Note no gear cover or end bearing stop screws.
Note no gear cover or end bearing stop screws.
Cds10.JPG
Earlier on right. Note case is shorter and decorative groove in wood is on the lid rather than the base of cabinet.
Earlier on right. Note case is shorter and decorative groove in wood is on the lid rather than the base of cabinet.
With polyphone carriage.
With polyphone carriage.
Cds9.JPG
Cds7.JPG

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MTPhono
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by MTPhono »

Beautiful examples, both!

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phonogfp
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by phonogfp »

...But couldn't you have shown an earlier example? :lol: Very, very nice!

George P.

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alang
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by alang »

Beautiful machine. Thanks for sharing.
Andreas

schweg
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by schweg »

Excellent display Steve. I'm still looking for the Polyphone attachment you promised to leave in the mahog Home....

Steve

Starkton
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by Starkton »

Your Standard S is a little beauty in itself, and the Polyphone attachment makes it a true gem!

Some time ago I examined serial # 43. As far as I can see it is identical to your machine, including the decorative groove on the lid. George, can you estimate how long these early features were maintained in the serial production?

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phonogfp
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by phonogfp »

I haven't seen too many of these early Standards, but I can confirm that the absence of a gear cover 1) seems to be found only within the first thousand or so to be built, and 2) does not conform to a serial before/after chronology. Just like early Homes where open upper castings keep popping up months after the closed upper castings were introduced, Standards without gear covers pop up after the covers appeared. I haven't done any careful research on this (yet!) so I can't offer details. Same with the decorative routing on the lid.

Maybe I'll be asking you guys (and gals) for info on your suitcase Standards someday... Martinola, do you have information on these early details?

George P.

Phonofreak
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by Phonofreak »

Great machine. I didn't know the earliest ones did not have a gear cover. I didn't see any threaded holes in the casting that would accept them. Thanks again for sharing.
Harvey Kravitz

martinola
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by martinola »

That is a very cool Standard, andersun! I did not know about the height variation between the earliest cases. Is the taller comparison case #13852? I love these really early machines because it shows how rapidly the product evolved. The profile on the top of the lid probably went away due to its inherent structural weakness. The end screws (grub screws?) on the bearings appeared to keep things in adjustment longer.

I'd imagine that early complaints of pinched fingers, ruined hankies and neckties brought about the gear guard. The last guardless one I've got on my list belonged to phonolair (# 4918). The only exception I've noted so far is #283. I have a note about it having had a gear guard at one time.

Hey Starkton, is there any chance you have photos or notes on #43 that you could share?

It's a bit frustrating noting details on the earlier machines. In some of my earlier observations, I wasn't looking for some details that I later noticed. Anyway, I'm trying to rectify that by adding more and more information to the Standard Data List. Right now, this is only the 32nd 2-Clip machine I've noted, so if anybody would like to add their machine to the list, I'd be only too happy to oblige.

BTW: if anybody wants a copy of current the excel file, just PM me with your email address.

gramophoneshane
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Re: Featured Phonograph 4/4/2011

Post by gramophoneshane »

A very nice early Standard indeed, and so refreshing to see something posted that's worth looking at!

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