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A few pics that I dug out of my archive. I would say that your Amberola 50 is a "Series 1" model...and it most likely looked like the pics below based on your bedplate, casing, horn mounts, and Reproducer carriage...

Below is Amberola 50. Serial Number#3311. As you can see, It has a Nickeled Reproducer. (Missing on yours- Swapped out for a Black later Series 2/Series 3 Reproducer), and it also has the Early Speed Control/Governor Housing with hole and protruding external Speed Control knob- Also Missing on yours..as well as the Speed Control knob. Also note the way the Serial Number ID Dataplate is affixed...I would highly suspect that you have two holes in your casing in this area for the Serial ID Dataplate mounting pins if you look closely enough.

Tony Kovar
Edison Collector/Restorer
Melbourne, Florida

I do have to mention here that there does exist a rather rare possibility (though highly unlikely)..that your machine is a Late Series 1 to Early Series 2 transition machine, but the Series 1 to Series 2 transition ones that I have seen already have the Dataplate mounting on the rear of the bedplate, and do not have the painted Edison signature in the Rear of the Bedplate as yours does. I still think that your Amberola 50 is a Series 1 Amberola 50. All the evidence shown points in that direction. Someone has just done some parts swapping with the reproducer and the Speed Control/Governor cover...and obviously removed the Dataplate. To answer your overall initial question, All Edison Amberola 50's came with Serial Number ID "Dataplate" tags. The one for your machine would have been the 1st Series 1 Style.. Black over Aluminum.

*Below is a pic of one of the most peculiar Amberola 50 Dataplate mountings. I'm guessing that it's not factory and was done by a previous owner who did not like where it was located by the horn area originally, so he moved it to the back wall of the cover. OP (MikeB), Pay close attention to exact type of dataplate seen here as it is a Series 1 Amberola 30/50/75 Dataplate, The is the same exact design that I believe that your machine should have (or had originally-now missing).


Tony K. )

Edison Collector/Restorer
Melbourne/Florida

MikeB Seen below is the Speed Control/Governor for the Amberola 30/50/75 Machines. Earlier "Series 1" and Special ICS type machines had an external Knob and shaft where the screw would be. It is all picture below. Turning the screw where the arrow is adjusts the governor speed of the Amberola 30/50/75 Machines. Also Shown pictured is the missing knob and shaft whiich your machine most likely once had (now missing).. I'm guessing that a normal screw sits in its place now.. as on later machines..

Tony Kovar

Edison Collector/Restorer
Melbourne, Florida