The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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That device is a Jones Motrola, it was an automatic spring winder. The electric motor would automatically wind the spring to a determined point of resistance then shut off. as the spring wound down it would start up again.

Ah ha,

So it's not an original Edison electric motor that the earliest of these models had. That makes the price even more out of line.

It's a period installation, I think Edison dealers installed these on customer request.

estott wrote:It's a period installation, I think Edison dealers installed these on customer request.

Hi Estott,

I knew it was a period installation which is kind of cool. However I think this machine was originally offered at a price of $1,000 with the 110v electric motor then shortly thereafter with a spring motor at ~$600 acc. to Frow. One of those very first with the factory installed Electric motor would be more interesting. I've seen Edison machines with the auto winder but have not seen one of this vintage with an original factory Electric motor. Not sure I'd even know what one is supposed to look like.

It looks like the eBay example has a nickel weight on the gold-plated body.