The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

NEFaurora wrote:Even though I believe Blue Amberols are flammable, I don't think that the BA Celluloid contains NITRO like old Nitro-Cellulose based film used prior to the 1940's.

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Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

It's the same stuff as motion picture film, only thicker and blue.

Regards,
Martin

...And I can vouch that they burn fiercely. I experimented with a junk one in the 1970s. My bride, looking on in the back yard, remarked, "Just how many of those are in the house?!"

George P.

I did the same thing years ago. I had a junked, cracked BA, lit it up(safe distance) and WOOOOOSH!!!, it burned up quickly.
Harvey Kravitz

The BA played well and was full of jokes. This was in English...I thought it would have music on it which I like to play sometimes. It says Stewart on it but no uncle Josh. Does Stewart do uncle josh's cylinders.. I will have to check my collection for more. Since going into winter I can do some odds and ends projects to sort and label my collection this year.. It is # 2009 Are these hard to come by ??? I did not want to heat it up too much as per prior warnings. I did not realize they were so flammable.. Tom B

Well done on the repair!

(Cal Stewart plays the role of Uncle Josh and there are LOTS of Uncle Josh cylinders! I do not, however, know the exact rarity of #2009 but I'm guessing you have about a $10 record there. ["Actual mileage may vary."])

-Michael

Cal Stewart started in 1897 with Columbia, but may be found on most record labels, Edison Victor, Columbia, and off brands as well. He passed away December 7th 1919, by the way my Birthday is December 7th, and I perform Uncle Josh on cylinders sometimes. I have made several personalized cylinders that have been played at CAPS meetings, especially for Mike Sorter.

Phonofreak wrote:I did the same thing years ago. I had a junked, cracked BA, lit it up(safe distance) and WOOOOOSH!!!, it burned up quickly.
Harvey Kravitz

And, keeping with the time of year, will a Christmas tree! Ever light a Christmas tree on fire before (hopefully while not still in the house)?

Phonofreak wrote:I did the same thing years ago. I had a junked, cracked BA, lit it up(safe distance) and WOOOOOSH!!!, it burned up quickly.
Harvey Kravitz

Somewhere on the TMF, there is a link to a video of a BA being burned with some colorful commentary in the audio.

Tom,

I'm probably one of the biggest Uncle Josh fans on the West Coast! I will show you the HUNDREDS of Uncle Josh cylinders I have in my collection!!! I even have a couple of recently created "Uncle Josh" style titles, like "Uncle Josh Weathersby visits Mike Sorter's house" (done by Shawn Borri)!!

Mike