The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

long_island_phono wrote:
George, was there a thread a few years ago regarding Triumph serial data? Would you happen to have a link on hand if there is one?

You're thinking of the research I've conducted on Spring Motors and Triumphs, which was started nearly four years ago! I have not yet finished my article on these machines, because I have not yet cracked the "code" for Spring Motor/Triumph serial number dating. I have all my compiled data in a spreadsheet, as well as the data that Terry Baer very kindly shared with me. If I can answer any questions for you, just fire away.

The research thread is here:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewtopic.php?t=9390

George P.

Congrats, what a treasure no matter what the condition is. I know its terrible what has been done to it but still a great rare find in what's left of a gold Triumph.

So what are your thoughts, leave it as is, or restoration with a new gold finish.

Larry Crandell

I have seen a couple nickel plated Edisons, but never a gold one. Was the gold plated as a shiny finish or a matte finish like the DD reproducers? A shiny finish ought not be too hard to replicate.

Phonolair wrote:Congrats, what a treasure no matter what the condition is. I know its terrible what has been done to it but still a great rare find in what's left of a gold Triumph.

So what are your thoughts, leave it as is, or restoration with a new gold finish.

Larry Crandell

I am going to leave the machine as is, not even going to attack the grime on the cabinet. It's a special machine and attempting any sort of gold restoration is not for me.

VintageTechnologies wrote:I have seen a couple nickel plated Edisons, but never a gold one. Was the gold plated as a shiny finish or a matte finish like the DD reproducers? A shiny finish ought not be too hard to replicate.

From what I have heard the gold-finished machines were more gold washed than gold plated, so a much thinner application of gold over the nickel plating. Apparently those found in original shape are more nickel-tone than gold given the fragile nature of the gold finish. I have only seen two gold machines in person, a Concert and a Model A Triumph, both owned by Charlie Hummel and both pictured in Fabrizio and Paul's Talking Machine Compendium on page 87 and 104 respectively. The latter I would imagine has the original finish, which is a "washy" light gold tone however I don't know for certain.

phonogfp wrote:

long_island_phono wrote:
George, was there a thread a few years ago regarding Triumph serial data? Would you happen to have a link on hand if there is one?

You're thinking of the research I've conducted on Spring Motors and Triumphs, which was started nearly four years ago! I have not yet finished my article on these machines, because I have not yet cracked the "code" for Spring Motor/Triumph serial number dating. I have all my compiled data in a spreadsheet, as well as the data that Terry Baer very kindly shared with me. If I can answer any questions for you, just fire away.

The research thread is here:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewtopic.php?t=9390

George P.

Noted and I just submitted my two other Triumphs. Will get to the plated one as well!

long_island_phono wrote:

Phonolair wrote:Congrats, what a treasure no matter what the condition is. I know its terrible what has been done to it but still a great rare find in what's left of a gold Triumph.

So what are your thoughts, leave it as is, or restoration with a new gold finish.

Larry Crandell

From what I have heard the gold-finished machines were more gold washed than gold plated, so a much thinner application of gold over the nickel plating. Apparently those found in original shape are more nickel-tone than gold given the fragile nature of the gold finish. I have only seen two gold machines in person, a Concert and a Model A Triumph, both owned by Charlie Hummel and both pictured in Fabrizio and Paul's Talking Machine Compendium on page 87 and 104 respectively. The latter I would imagine has the original finish, which is a "washy" light gold tone however I don't know for certain.

You might get the same effect with a careful application of a gold tinted transparent varnish- a lot of old "Gold" picture frames were really colored varnish over silver leaf. It would be less expensive than gold and reversible.

Sweet find on that rare highly optioned Edison Triumph D!! I love when stuff like this turns up!

Unfortunately, The only other Edison that I could think of with some original Gold plate was the Edison Spring Motor phonograph that Edison himself gave to his daughter on her wedding day in 1892..It is definitely on the Top Ten of Great Edison Phonograph examples...It is located at The Edison/Ford Winter Estates Museum in Fort Myers, Florida..A must go if you love Edisons...!!! There are actually more phonographs on display at the Edison/Ford Winter Estates Museum in Fort Myers than at the Edison Factory Museum in West Orange, NJ. Hard to believe, but it's true.

Tony K.

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Edison Collector/Restorer

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NEFaurora wrote: The only other Edison that I could think of with some original Gold plate was the Edison Spring Motor phonograph that Edison himself gave to his daughter on her wedding day in 1892.
Tony K.

)

Edison Collector/Restorer

Just for the sake of accuracy, that spectacular Spring Motor was not given to Marion Edison on her wedding day (which was actually October 1, 1895), but in mid-1897 (a rather belated wedding gift!). The full story is in an article published in The Antique Phonograph, December 2014, pp.28-33.

I conferred with staff at the Edison-Ford Estates over two days in 2014 about some of their signage, and hopefully these inaccuracies have been corrected.

George P.

Thanks for the date correct George.. You'd think that the Museum would be on top of stuff like that..!

PS: I took those pics and they were taken in 2010...so hopefully someone corrected it!

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer