Edison Day 2009 - Glenmont tour (Edison's house)

[JohnM]

What is the easel-like piece of furniture in the sixth photo?

John M

Good question. At first glance I thought it was a fancy coal skuttle, but I don't think it is now I look at it closely.
Are they musical instruments carved on the door panel?
That would indicate a music cabinet of some sort, but it would be the strangest design if it is. The brass bar mounted down one side is a mystery to me too.
It does look like some sort of easel with a different style smokers cabinet or similar mounted on it.
I've never seen anything quite like it.

Looking at it again, I believe the brass rods must fold to form a support leg when the front is lowered (hinged along the bottom). So, I'd now guess it is a portfolio or map table. What do you think?

I can tell you that the rope-like wooden lattice elements are typical of Merklen Brothers furniture n made in New York City circa 1890.

Hey! Maybe it is a fancy Murphy bed for Edison's famous spontaneous ten-minute cat-naps! LOL!

John M

[phonophan79]

What is the easel-like piece of furniture in the sixth photo?

John M

Good question. At first glance I thought it was a fancy coal skuttle, but I don't think it is now I look at it closely.
Are they musical instruments carved on the door panel?
That would indicate a music cabinet of some sort, but it would be the strangest design if it is. The brass bar mounted down one side is a mystery to me too.
It does look like some sort of easel with a different style smokers cabinet or similar mounted on it.
I've never seen anything quite like it.

Yes, it is a sheet music cabinet! I asked the same question. She said it opens up into a style like an accordian file where you have the many slots to store music.

[JohnM]

That would make sense. I was picturing laying out large folios on the tabletop, but I can see how it would serve as a support for a large expanding file. Wow! I'd love to find one of those in someone's garage!

John M

[gramophoneshane]

Wow! I'd love to find one of those in someone's garage!

John M

If you find two, send one to me

It never ceases to amaze me how much thought went into some furniture design in the Victorian/Edwardian period. Most cabinet makers today are lucky if they can put a laminex top on a kitchen cupboard straight.

[JohnM]

I've always been a fan of furniture design. I attended an exhibit of mechanical furniture in Los Angeles about 20 years ago and it was amazing! Tables that got bigger when the tops were twisted, butler racks that lift up tier after tier and snap in place to lock, various things that became other things . . . sort of like wooden 'Transformer' toys. An incredible period of practical inginuity with amazing aesthetic sensibilities to boot!

John M

[brianu]

dean,

great photos, thanks for posting them. do you know if this place is open regularly, or is it just the one day of the year?

brian

[phonophan79]

dean,

great photos, thanks for posting them. do you know if this place is open regularly, or is it just the one day of the year?

brian

From the ENHS website...

"Glenmont, the estate of Thomas and Mina Edison is open for the summer Wednesday through Sunday. Tours of the house are scheduled every hour on the hour from 10:00am to 4:00pm."

[phonophan79]

So did everyone spot the...

- Edison R5 Radio / phonograph
- 2 pictures of the A-series Edison Diamond Disc(notice that the old man's own phono didn't have a serial number / plate?) Nice long play machine tho.
- Edison Standard phonograph
- Tinfoil phonograph reproduction
- Louis XVI(?) Diamond Disc

[richardh]

So did everyone spot the...

- Edison R5 Radio / phonograph
- 2 pictures of the A-series Edison Diamond Disc(notice that the old man's own phono didn't have a serial number / plate?) Nice long play machine tho.
- Edison Standard phonograph
- Tinfoil phonograph reproduction
- Louis XVI(?) Diamond Disc

Dean,

do you know if all these machines are ones that would of been in the house when Edison lived there or have they been imported as examples of his work?

RJ

[phonophan79]

Dean,

do you know if all these machines are ones that would of been in the house when Edison lived there or have they been imported as examples of his work?

RJ

No... these are all in the house as they were originally placed and used. The radio / phonograph was in his study / office. The A-series Diamond Disc is actually in the hallway outside the study / office and all the bedrooms. The Standard phonograph was in a little kitchen dining area. The Louis XVI Diamond Disc was in the fancy-schmancy parlor room.

The tinfoil reproduction in the glass casing was the only one "put on display" by the staff.