Santa was a little early this year...

[Lucius1958]

Got my auction winnings from Nauck's a few days ago...

And just today, came home with a C250 for $100!

Of course, it's going to need some extensive veneer repair around the bottom of the case; but otherwise in good condition.

It looks to be a fairly early one: the patent plate is marked 'SM', and the medallion has the rather lengthy caption, "The $250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model - Thos. A. Edison"

However, it has the drawers for record storage, which, according to Frow, were introduced in early 1919. Could that be an error on his part?

Also, I learned an important lesson:

A C250 case (minus casters) will just fit into the back seat of a Toyota Corolla....

Bill

[Jerry B.]

Be sure to take some before and after photos and give us a look. I thought all C-250's had drawers and some early C-19's but what do I know? Jerry

[JohnM]

C-250 has drawers, C-19 has dividers.

[Lucius1958]

Thanks!

A couple of other early features I noticed:

. Motor has a drip pan (discontinued about Feb. 1916).
. Feed rack is screwed onto frame, rather than one piece (changed by 1916).

SN is 7265.

So, I'm guessing first month or so of production?

Bill

[Lucius1958]

As requested, here are the "Before" photos of the case:

Front looks pretty good...

Photo 102.jpg (83.46 KiB) Viewed 1980 times

Here's where the veneer problems begin...

Photo 103.jpg (67.74 KiB) Viewed 1980 times

My plan is to cannibalize the veneer off the back; then put new veneer there...

Photo 105.jpg (56.63 KiB) Viewed 1980 times

And the left side...

Photo 106.jpg (69.28 KiB) Viewed 1980 times

So: looking forward to this project!

Bill

[Lucius1958]

Well, I finally got the cabinet finished on the C-250...

My original plan of cannibalizing veneer from the back had to be revised, as I found out veneer doesn't come off that easily.

Fortunately, I found a single 2'x4' sheet would provide me enough material for my needs (indeed, enough to compensate for my mistakes on the back - where I figured I should make most of them). For backing, I used some surplus oak veneer...

Some careful work with aniline stain (after an unsuccessful trial of gel stain) and further glazing, managed to get the color reasonably matched - although the join between old and new veneer will always be visible.

The following photos may not be the best quality; but I hope they give a general sense of the restoration.

Bill

Photo 117.jpg (73.75 KiB) Viewed 1819 times

[JohnM]

Looks great! The veneer is adhered to the surface with hide glue, which softens and releases by exposure to water vapor ('steam').

[NEFaurora]

Bill, Where did you get your surplus veneer from?

Anyone know who deals in surplus replacement veneer now?

I could use a few new contacts for replacement veneer.

Thanks,

Tony K.

[dutchman]

Re the veneer - I reveneered a C-250 long time back - was stored in a garage and the gentleman's mother-in-law wanted it out so during the summer she would spray it with a hose. Most of the cabinet veneer was trash. It worked great so $50.

I use/used Bob Morgan for veneer. Good service and has the wood backed veneer which is the same thickness,1/16th I believe. Not cheap but not terribly expensive, excellent service. Receive his catalog every year.

[NEFaurora]

"I use/used Bob Morgan for veneer."

Ok, How about his phone number, e-mail address or website info....????


Tony K.