The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Andersun wrote:

phonogfp wrote: I'd recommend comparing the mechanism number to the cabinet number, to determine originality,
George P.

George,
Do you mean mechanism number to cabinet nameplate number? I have had two A-1s that were original mech to cabinet and neither one had a matching cabinet number to mechanism. The mech and plate numbers did match.

Sorry - - yes, that's what I meant. Look for the serial number on the mechanism and the data plate on the cabinet!

George

Along the same lines, does anyone have any information about when the covered oil holes appeared on the bedplate? I presume this was only on the oak gunmetal finish. This example is serial 2851:

For anyone interested, I made the trip to look at this in person today. Overall, this is what I would consider a very desirable "virgin" example of the Edison Amberola 1A in oak. Here are some of the details resulting from my preview. Your own preview or inspection results may vary!

1. The external oak finish has dried and there are a couple of perhaps dime sized veneer pieces missing on the right bottom side (not a big deal at all). The oak figure (or grain) on the front and sides is simply outstanding and could and would become visually stunning very easily. The oak cabinet is indeed impressive and that is surely what attracted me and I suspect most others.

2. The gun metal top works finish is dusty, quite soiled and shows wear in areas that one would expect to find handling wear from normal usage. The thumbscrew on the left side gear cover that adjusts the sliding auto-stop mechanism was not present.

3. The model M reproducer and the Diamond model A are both present and the oxidized finish for both is still quite nice. The M reproducer is missing the diaphragm to stylus bar link [edit: after looking at still pictures I asked permission to take prior to leaving I can see that the diaphragm to stylus link appears to be still attached to the stylus bar but definitely not to the diaphragm.] The model A reproducer had been installed prior to my preview. I did not remember to bring my magnifying visor to assess the condition (or presence) of the styli in either reproducer. The diamond A reproducer was stuck good and tight in its stanchion so I could not run my finger under the stylus for a very quick assessment. Both reproducers appeared to be otherwise complete with exception of the missing diaphragm link on the M. The oxidized finish on the mandrel is very nice indeed. Just needs to be cleaned up.

4. I found that the motor had been cranked up tighter than a banjo string well before my inspection. When I released the start/stop lever at the left front of the top works deck the motor began running normally. The leather belt is obviously original and when the feedscrew engaging lever is moved to the down position (playing position) the mandrel spins sporatically due to the stretched and worn leather belt. I have every expectation that with a good leather belt the works would run smoothly. The motor appears to be strong and it sounds absolutely fine. The top works traversing aspect appears to be in good working condition as well. Obviously, some normal lubrication would be needed but everything works as expected for a machine that has likely not played a cylinder in many years.

5. The inside cabinet finish including the drawers is quite outstanding, being protected. The 4 oak cylinder storage drawers move nicely and each drawer appears to have their original clips. Each drawer holds 25 cylinders in their boxes using the clips. I did not count the cylinders but all 100 spaces had cylinders (although I noticed perhaps 3 or 4 boxes were empty). Most of the cylinders appeared to be in nice condition and most are Blue Amberols. There was one Royal Purple cylinder that I noticed.

An auction house representative was present with me throughout my (perhaps ½ hour) preview and asked many questions. All of which I was pleased to answer since I have a lyre grille Amberola 1A in my collection and am very familiar with most aspects of their operation.

Interestingly, there was sapphire model C reproducer inside an Edison Recorder box laying loosely on the rear grille near the model M reproducer. It appeared to be complete and in good operating order.

At the conclusion of my preview of the machine, I expressed concern regarding the loose reproducers and encouraged the auction house representative who was present with me throughout my preview to move the model M reproducer and the model C reproducer into a secure location so that they might remain secure prior to the auction. The representative heartily agreed however I have no idea if my advice was followed since I left shortly afterward. It was well past lunchtime and I was hungry!

I hope that these details will be helpful to any of you who, like me, are interested but will not be able to attend the auction in person. The auction representative did inform me that there had been a great amount of interest in it.

Please keep in mind that the details presented here are my own and are certainly not exhaustive by any means. Your own opinion may vary. It's a magnificent machine with a great deal of potential. In spite of my owning a nice Amberola 1A I would still love to own this one and I'm sure many of you would as well.

Doug

and now the auction house representative believes it will bring....???

I liked our hobby MUCH better when a stray collector would find a great machine at an auction house that did not think that they had anything more than a standard phonograph (which WAS the case here)rather than thinking that they had the only one in existance which was set to make them all millionaires.

Which, by the way, is why I disappeared into annonymity for 25 years.

Hailey wrote:which WAS the case here

Member "rizbone" posted the original message about this in the Craigslist Alerts section and many here, myself included, knew about this machine being offered at auction well before his message post. Yes, the old days of only local communication through newspaper ads for auctions and estate sales was nice but we accept what we have now and share what we know much easier. There are pluses and minuses for sure.

There was no pricing discussed during my preview of the machine.

I totally understand...no harm intended. Guess I still long for the innocence of days gone by!!

Sorry for spoiling your fun, but isn't that the point of the ebay and craigslist alert section. At least it's easier to find parts nowadays.

Coyote, the oil holes are also used on the maroon bedplates. I recently bought a mahogany 1A with the proper maroon bedplate and matching serial numbers which does have them. My serial # is slightly over 3xxx. They were apparently added later in production, as a friend has a 1A, serial slightly under 2XXX that does not have them.
The 1A referred to in the auction looks like a great machine. If someone is watching this, could you please post the final price?

Jim

Hello,
I see that this beautiful Oak 1-A sold for $7450.00 plus buyers premium. What value would you place on the extra M reproducer that came with it?
Pete

flashpanblue wrote:What value would you place on the extra M reproducer that came with it?

Five years ago I located a Model M reproducer for a friend's Amberola 1A and convinced him that he should buy it for $1,300.