Recent Ebay Auction - Edison Army Navy Machine

[gramophoneshane]

Is it common for the set-up instructions to survive?
Cant say I've seen them present before, but then I've only ever seen a few on ebay & Garrets machines when he posted them ages ago.

[Valecnik]

As for production numbers, the eBay example suggests that at least 3000 of these left the factory. Mine is in the 1500 number range.

No one but the Edison Phonograph Division offered a machine capable of surviving a direct hit with a grenade! Like Bob, I love the quirkiness of the thing.

George P.

Hmmmm seems like a good candidate for featured phono George?

[barnettrp21122]

Is it common for the set-up instructions to survive?
Cant say I've seen them present before, but then I've only ever seen a few on ebay & Garrets machines when he posted them ages ago.

The instructions were secured to the inner grill cover with permanent rings. The paper was heavy and linen-backed. In some cases the pages have been torn off, but if undisturbed can also be in very good condition. I've seen more examples where the cover has been lost along with the instructions.

I'd like to find out more about these two cases I found a few years back on Ebay. They were filled with Diamond Disks, and have lock hardware with the same markings as other Edison shipment cases of the era. Some have guessed they might have held film reels originally, but they're the exact size for the 10 inch discs. Anybody know?

Bob

[gramophone78]

I can feel a George "show & tell" coming on... .So,regarding the case color.....Is it army green or brown?.Is there a grey case for the navy?.

[barnettrp21122]

They're more on the green side-really an olive drab.
Here's the link to the previous post regarding these:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 614#p21614

Thanks again!
Bob

[phonogfp]

Bob's example is more complete than mine - - I nominate him to do a "Featured Phono" on this topic! Looks like a beautiful example, as a matter of fact...

I've never seen a gray "Navy" version of the Edison A&N Phono.

George P.

[Victrolaman]

I also agree it's hardly portable and to make it less so, they added that the 250 horn, the reserve spring barrel screwed into the back and the place in the lid where you could mount several DD records!

I wouldn't argue with the company's claimed weight of 100 pounds - - it feels like every ounce of that to me! The mounting provision in the lid is not for records, but rather for the turntable.

As for production numbers, the eBay example suggests that at least 3000 of these left the factory. Mine is in the 1500 number range.

The idea of installing a talking machine into what amounts to an ammunition crate was sort of a crazy idea. As estott noted, there are numerous wartime photos showing U.S. soldiers & sailors with VV-IXs, and VV-VIs, which were perfectly serviceable in rear areas where recorded music would have been available. European armies were using a variety of parabolic machines (notably the Decca) as well as more delicate external horn varieties. No one but the Edison Phonograph Division offered a machine capable of surviving a direct hit with a grenade! Like Bob, I love the quirkiness of the thing.

George P.

I never seen one like this before. I have a Brunswick portable. Model 101, I think it is, and that thing weights a ton. Looks like a nice piece, I wonder what it went for?

I

[barnettrp21122]

Thanks for the challenge, George! I hope you enjoy the post I just completed.


http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=5098

I spotted a Navy version of this machine on the third floor of the Edison Historic Site laboratory. It wasn't really on display, but could be seen behind the glass stored with other machines.
Bob

[phonophan79]

I spotted a Navy version of this machine on the third floor of the Edison Historic Site laboratory. It wasn't really on display, but could be seen behind the glass stored with other machines.
Bob

Yup! ...from my visit at first Grand Re-Opening. 10/10/2009

[gramophoneshane]

Thanks for the additional pictures Bob. Now that I see them, I do recall seeing the instruction once or twice before, but not very often. I guess the ebay example threw me because the darker cover was missing lol.