Edison "Type 2" Standard question

[Valecnik]

Thank you all for your input. I am certain that the decal is a reproduction and would like to find an Edison Bell decal. I checked Gregg Cline's website and do not see one. Anyone know where one can be obtained? Thanks again!!

Are you sure it's a reproduction? It looks very good to me but...

[martinola]

Perhaps our members from the UK have a better grasp of what Edison-Bell did to Edison Standards than I do, but out of the few examples of Standards sold by Edison-Bell that I've seen, they've only had the metal tag with no transfer beyond the typical Banner transfer. The tag location seemed to move from the bedplate on the early squaretops to the bedplate frame and even the front face on the New Style machines. It doesn't seem a big surprise that they also mounted the tag on the lid.

I have seen later Edison-Bell lookalike machines that did have an Edison-Bell transfer, but these were not Edison products. Frow has a good description of the Edison company's relationship with Edison-Bell in his "Edison Cylinder Phonograph Companion".

Regards,
Martin

[NEFaurora]

The Edison decal "IS" a reproduction. You can tell by the "E" in Edison... It's not right...Way too thin, though looks good. A seasoned Phonograph collector can tell.

Also,

Gregg Cline Does have the Edison Bell Gem Decals. They are $25.00 You have to look under "Other Makers". It is not listed under the "Edison" decals. I'm sure that you'll find it this time.


http://phonodecal.com


Tony K.

Melbourne, FL

[Dulcetto]

Hi all , The Edison Bell Consolidated Phonograph Co ,in England held a business monopoly on the exploitation of the phonograph in U.K. and its colonies until 1903 when their control of the various patents governing the trade ran out. Up till 1903 they sold imported Edison machines ( some models were made specifically for Edison Bell ) and other European made phonographs , notably supplied by Pathé and some German manufacturers. All these phonographs which were thus sold by Edison Bell or their appointed agents ( i.e. retailers ) had a small 'licence plate ' attached. Some of these were fixed to the bedplates , some to the outer wooden cases depending on the model. In Edison Bell's catalogues of the period , the American made Edison machines were given a 'type' number for ease of recognition. Thus Type 1 = Gem , Type 2 = Standard , Type 3 = Home and Type 4 = Triumph. so the ' Type 2 ' wording on the plate does not refer to a vasriation of the Standard , but rather is its sales catalogue identification -- thats it ! As I said , these licence plates were discontinued in 1903 when the controlling patents expired. The idea of fitting the plates was just so the end customer knew that his or her phongraph had been sold to them through legitimate channels !

[toysbyroy]

Thanks again for all the superb information. I, however, did not find an Edison-Bell STANDARD decal on Gregg Cline's website; only the Edison-Bell GEM decal. I would like to replace the current decal with one that is more authentic. Is the STANDARD decal the appropriate one or was there an Edison-Bell decal for this unit? Ro

[clevelander]

There seems to be a bit of confusion here!.
Until 1903, Edison Bell in London imported Edison machines from the USA identical to those sold there. On arrival they were badged with Edison Bell plaques. On the early suitcase Standard fastened to the bedplate, and on the new models the plaque was fitted to the lid of the case.
Similarly the Gem had the plaque attached to the front of the casting, on the later model, on the lid.
The plates simply denoted that they had been bought in the UK from the licenced supplier.
After 1903, Edison Bell were free to do what they liked, and started to manufacture their own models. The Standard, the Gem ( totally different machines to Edisons) the Elf and the Imp.
Your machine has a reproduction decal of the CORRECT pattern, but not of the best quality.
As stated earlier, Gregg Cline supplies decals which I have found to be far more difficult to tell apart from originals.
Best regards,
Alistair

[toysbyroy]

Alistair, thank you for the clarification. I have purchased a number of Gregg Cline's decals and agree as to the quality. Roy