When is a Gem D not a Gem D

[SydneyAde]

Thanks zappa, but I need to say “@#%%&*$#@”

Hopefully that’s its biggest fault. I actually did ask the seller why the gear cover was missing and he said “The gear cover has been missing for as long as I can remember. It looks so good the way it is I never noticed until someone pointed it out.

The listing said: “I am offering for sale by auction an Edison Maroon Gem Cylinder phonograph which is all original except for the crane and chain that holds the horn and the rubber horn connector. Everything else has never been messed with (except for an occasional oiling) and is all original. I did turn the four minute stylus around as one side was worn.”

Reading the above I understood that he had owned it for a while, and thought it to be original, as the pics were not clear enough, except for one front on, that showed very good pin striping and decals. However I did think something was fishy, looking at the base that didn’t have the groove all the way round, and the horn seemed peculiar, although that proved too costly to ship and I was refunded for that.

There was a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing, and a good deal more to the story, though I won’t bore you all with that.

I've taken him at his word, that he didn't know it wasn't original.

Putting things into context, you only have to switch the television on and realise how lucky we are, with all the turmoil in the world.

Thanks again guys and here endeth my lesson.

Ade

[Andersun]

"Is it possible to doctor a standard black Gem to look like maroon Gem with a paint job and changing the registration plates?"

The Gem D and E both have the nameplate serial number stamped on the bottom right rear of casting on foot next to the tapped hole for the wood base. If you have an original nameplate on the machine, you can confirm the plate and the machine went together.

I don't know if they did that on the A,B or C.

Interesting enough, My Gem D has "904" and "6" casted on the underside of the body casting.

[SydneyAde]

"Is it possible to doctor a standard black Gem to look like maroon Gem with a paint job and changing the registration plates?"

The Gem D and E both have the nameplate serial number stamped on the bottom right rear of casting on foot next to the tapped hole for the wood base. If you have an original nameplate on the machine, you can confirm the plate and the machine went together.

I don't know if they did that on the A,B or C.

Interesting enough, My Gem D has "904" and "6" casted on the underside of the body casting.

Thanks Andersun, you're a champion! Both machines' stamped serial numbers match the registration plates.

Matter finalised.

Thanks again, overall, this has been a very good learning exercise for me. Ade