![[The Talking Machine Forum - For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings]](/styles/we_universal/theme/images/the_talking_machine_forum.png)
Unshaved Blanks?
-
edisonphonoworks
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1566
- Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:50 am
- Personal Text: A new blank with authentic formula and spiral core!
- Contact:
Unshaved Blanks?
I was looking on ebay and saw what I think is a very rare box. What I ask has anyone found one of these unshaved blanks intact with and unshaved blank in the box, if so I would really like a photo, and am very interested in what thickness they were and how out of round, this would tell me some information on the mould size, perhaps they just semi shaved them, they had to be somewhat shaved??? I would like those to post photos of blank cylinders they have in this thread. Concert blanks, Edison, other brands four minute. I onetime saw an unusual Edison Gold moulded record with a spiral core, It was a 1905 title, but the spiral was just like brown wax how rare is this??
- Attachments
-
- On the table on the left side is an unshaved Borri blank, notice the thickness, on the left side in the shaver lid is also an unshaved, but trimmed cylinder. The machine on the left is a cylinder trimming machine, and shaving machine on the right.
-
- Unshaved blank box.
-
52089
- Victor VI
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm
Re: Unshaved Blanks?
I agree this is a pretty rare box, but I was wondering if perhaps it was intended for an Edison Business Phonograph of some sort? I would think that a business might be able to shave an unshaved blank more easily than a home phonograph user.
-
edisonphonoworks
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1566
- Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:50 am
- Personal Text: A new blank with authentic formula and spiral core!
- Contact:
Re: Unshaved Blanks?
This box dates about 1901-1903. If you own "The Phonograph And How To Use It" published in 1900 by The National Phonograph Company. Turn to page 118 "The cylinder as it is first moulded is known as a blank. The Edison blank is chemically pure. It has no successful rival in the market. There is no talking machine company or infringer who does not recognize the fact, and there are no records worth having, that are not made on Edison Blanks. Other kinds are gritty, harsh and unserviceable, and little if any cheaper.
As delivered by the factory, blanks do not have surfaces prepared for receiving a record. It is necessary to shave off one or two turns to secure a perfectly true working surface. All Phonographs except the GEM are furnished with a device for doing this. When once trued, the cylinder always remains true."
If only a few turns were needed it probably was semi shaved, and boxed before it seasoned, and then distorted and needed to be shaved again, if this time is after 30 days it will remain true. I know this all seems trivial on boring to you all, however things like this answer questions I have. I would love to find a photo of the trimming machine in action at the factory, anyone ever seen how the ends were made on Edison blanks, those nice rounded over edges on the blanks?
As delivered by the factory, blanks do not have surfaces prepared for receiving a record. It is necessary to shave off one or two turns to secure a perfectly true working surface. All Phonographs except the GEM are furnished with a device for doing this. When once trued, the cylinder always remains true."
If only a few turns were needed it probably was semi shaved, and boxed before it seasoned, and then distorted and needed to be shaved again, if this time is after 30 days it will remain true. I know this all seems trivial on boring to you all, however things like this answer questions I have. I would love to find a photo of the trimming machine in action at the factory, anyone ever seen how the ends were made on Edison blanks, those nice rounded over edges on the blanks?