The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

LtFrenchFries wrote:

Jerry B. wrote:I'd like to say this as gently as possible but you have something decorated in the seventies or later. It looks like it was done with the best intentions but it is definitely not something done by the Edison Factory or the local Edison dealer.

Jerry Blais

That’s kind of disappointing, but thanks for letting me know. For future reference, how do you know it was done in the 70s?

This is just the type of thing that was somewhat commonly done in the 70's, and not just to phonographs. It was commonly referred to an "antiquing". Not sure why antiques needed to be further antiqued, but nonetheless, this is what was done. It was also the era of the polyester leisure suit, so go figure...

Yep, It's a Custom Painted Edison Model "B" Home Phonograph...Though someone has drilled a hole and installed an earlier Model A Speed Control on the bedplate. At least they didn't paint the Bedplate! The Serial number puts your Edison Model "B" Home being made in the middle of 1906 somewhere...

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

This is what it should look like:

dzavracky wrote:Yes that is definitely a painted Edison home. I do not like painted phonographs, but I will say that whoever painted it did a pretty good job.


I do like how the painted horn matches the paint on the cabinet.

I tend to agree in a sick way. Jerry, if you really blow up the top photo you'll see that the decal is really a hand painted replacement. Somebody went to a lot of trouble on the paint. True, it would be a good candidate for a total refinish - and yet... I have a blue Victrola XVI that has remained blue since I got it in 2004. I keep thinking "some day...some day..."

Martin

Martin, I think you're correct about the decal and I was mistaken. It does look hand painted. And I agree that someone went to a great deal of effort to make the machine interesting and presentable. We have no idea how it looked prior to decoration. There really isn't an incorrect decision to be made regarding the machine. If can enjoy it "as is" or make it a restoration project. We've had good replies about it and it's fun to have a conversation starter when other collectors visit.

LtFrenchFries, You might give it a gentle cleaning, adjust the crane properly, put a bit of oil where needed, and play some cylinders. You and perhaps a significant other are the only persons you need to please. The paint is part of its history. If it was done in the seventies, that's still approaching fifty years ago and almost half the time since it left the factory. I suggest you enjoy it for a while before doing anything major.

Happy Collecting,
Jerry B.

Jerry B. wrote:

For future reference, how do you know it was done in the 70s?

I became active in the hobby in the 1970s and the decal on your Home looks like what was first available to collectors back then. That's all we had and you could spot a new decal across a room. Now we have decals that are difficult to tell from originals. Decal buyers beware... People are still selling junk decals on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. You are wasting your time if you apply a bad quality decal on an otherwise quality restoration.

Jerry Blais

Looking closely at it, I'm not sure it's a decal at all, but hand painted. Considering the rest of the decoration, it seems likely.

Edit: Didn't read the other comments before posting this; but I'll leave my two cents here anyway.

-Bill

As wrong as it is to paint a machine Whoever did this, was talented at took a good deal of time. What was done to it, is one of those toss ups, it certainly makes the machine unique, however you could also strip it down and make it like new again. I agree this was probably done in the 1970's. I would classify the style used as Norwegian rosemaling. I kind of like how it turned out, Although I really like the original way machines are supposed to be, though this is part of it's history.

I vote don’t touch it. There’s a lot of original Edison Homes out there, but there’s likely only one like this one. If that decal is painted on, that’s simply incredible

I like the machine

I vote don’t touch it. There’s a lot of original Edison Homes out there, but there’s likely only one like this one. If that decal is painted on, that’s simply incredible

I like the machine

I tend to agree. When I originally looked at the photos, the decal didn't look quite right so I jumped to the assumption that is was an early decal from about 1970. I was wrong. I think the decoration with the banner decal like painting may predate my 1970 estimation.

Let's speculate about the history of this particular Edison Home. It was purchased around 1906 and must have been a prized possession for the owner's family. When four minute cylinders came out a few years later the owner went to the expense and effort to upgrade his machine and it continued for many more years to be a source of pleasure. But at some time a more modern disc machine or a radio replaced the Edison. The once prized Edison no longer entertained and was placed in the corner of the basement or in the attic and forgotten. Decades passed and those decades in a hot attic or damp basement were not kind to the Edison. But at some point someone, perhaps a granddaughter or maybe a pioneer collector, wanted to "restore" Great Aunt Bertha's old Edison. That person was isolated. The Edison was essentially worthless or of very little value. There were no dealers selling Edison cylinder parts. If you told your neighbors you were interested in old talking machines you were at risk of finding them at your door every few days. It would be like telling someone you collected flip phones or VHS machines and tapes. People would look at you and question your sanity. That relative did the best they could. A photo was taken of what remained of the decal. The cabinet was painted to cover where the leaky roof dripped and discolored the cabinet. A heroic effort was made to replicate the decal and a sincere effort was made to decorate the once forgotten Edison. I think that is what we are talking about with the machine featured in this thread.

Jerry Blais

Well said.

I wonder if the previous owner could shed any insight on this? Did it belong to the family originally and it was passed down? Then the previous owner decided to sell it? LtFrenchfries, if you still have the pervious owners maybe you can ask about it?
This machine intrigues me

I usually want to vomit at the sight of a painted phonograph, but if I had run across this one I definitely would have bought it and kept it just the way it is.

Can you take some more pictures of the case and decal?

David