The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It seems as though there is something similar about all of these phonographs stolen...they are all small enough for one person to (fairly) easily carry. Unfortunately, those seem to be the earlier and valuable ones, but also the cheaper suitcase models. Keeping a good collection of photographs seem to be great for documenting phonographs. What a shame, though...having to go through so much trouble just to keep our precious phonographs safe!

I'll make sure that someday, my (unbuilt) vacuum-tube driven 1,000,000 volt Tesla coil is set up for intruder defense! They won't get away without feeling some pain!

Even though I think theft is unlikely, I think it's prudent (and also very interesting) to have all of your serial numbers. I have all of my serial numbers including those on the mechanisms if they are different. I also have all the serial numbers on my reproducers written down. I also have photos of most of the SN plates where they exist. I guess I did this more out of interest than out of fear of theft but some theft protection is a great benefit. Thieves stay away!

I have three serial number questions:

1. The motor serial number of most Edison machines is obvious, but where is the motor s/n on the Opera? There's a raised number underneath the front edge of the bedplate, but I don't think that's it. I realized that while I had the model plate serial numbers, I didn't record the motor serials. Help would be appreciated...thanks!

2. Would anyone be kind enough to PM me with current contact info for Terry Baer? So far, I've tried three addresses (aol, anheuser-busch, and edisontriumph.com) but all of them are invalid. While the database is still up, is the site being maintained?

3. What would you say the serial number pictured below is? It looks like an 8 overstamping a 6 (or vice-versa-?), but the apparent "6" looks deeper and doesn't seem to match the font of the rest of the numbers. Thanks in advance for answers to any/all questions.

Bill

coyote wrote:3. What would you say the serial number pictured below is? It looks like an 8 overstamping a 6 (or vice-versa-?), but the apparent "6" looks deeper and doesn't seem to match the font of the rest of the numbers. Thanks in advance for answers to any/all questions.

Bill,

After zooming your photo, I say that it reads 52483. I wonder if they didn’t misapply the serial the first time, and then corrected that digit.

Unfortunately, someone else is going to need to help you on your other questions.

— MordEth