The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

OK, time for honesty here... In the past I worked on an Edison Standard that needed a lot of attention. In addition to other things, it needed a decal, cabinet repair, and other attention. It originally had a small decal and I applied a banner. I am guilty. My logic said it was a common Edison Standard B and they came either way and the banner decal made it more interesting. Let the stoning begin! Jerry Blais

Leave the decal alone. Keep the machine honest. It does not look that bad for something over 100 years old.

Now that I'm afraid to leave the house, let me give some other thoughts. I own a Ray Phillips tinfoil machine. Ray is a true gentleman in the hobby and I appreciate his effort to make an affordable reproduction tinfoil machine. Ray had no desire to muddy the water so he had his initials and year as part of the base casting. Even with those efforts, one of his machines was sold as an original when his initials, etc. were removed, some screws were replaced, and the machine was artificially aged. That's a phono sin of the first order. Another collector on the west coast stockpiled a large quantity of Victor VI type motors and hardware to build replica Vic VI's. He also stockpiled a quantity of Amberola 1-B mechanisms to make Operas. I don't believe any Vic VI's or Opera were ever completed but they would have been major phono sins. (I have seen Opera cabinets fitted with Amberola mechanisms so be careful! At that point, I'd check the cabinet very carefully also. )
It is difficult for me to get motivated to restore a common machine like a mahogany Victrola XI. I've had a few machines that were so badly damaged, it was not worth my restoration efforts so I sold the parts. Other times I'm gung ho about a project. The Salter cabinet is a good example of my best efforts and intentions. The bottom line is that I'm guilty of treating an Edison Standard as a common machine. I placed the sale over historical accuracy. That's one reason I started this thread. Jerry Blais

I'll leave the decal alone. If I'm ever forced (at gunpoint) to make changes in a machine, I'll leave a note inside. I realize a note can be thrown away just like Ray's initials and date were ground off. Jerry Blais

Well, I think three hail Mary's and a machine of my choice out of your collection and all your sins will be forgiven.... . I'm leaning toward your Berliner .....that's if it has not been altered.

BTW, the stockpiler of motors did make some "gold" plated operas.... .

VintageTechnologies wrote:Leave the decal alone. Keep the machine honest. It does not look that bad for something over 100 years old.

My vote also.

Clay

Jerry B. wrote:OK, time for honesty here... In the past I worked on an Edison Standard that needed a lot of attention. In addition to other things, it needed a decal, cabinet repair, and other attention. It originally had a small decal and I applied a banner. I am guilty. My logic said it was a common Edison Standard B and they came either way and the banner decal made it more interesting. Let the stoning begin! Jerry Blais

Jerry, we've all done some "questionable" things with old phonographs - especially us old-timers who were doing it back in the 1960s/70s. But we're better than that now - - go forth and sin no more!

I know a phonograph dealer who put a Model A Standard mechanism into a Model B cabinet with a small script decal, and sold it as being "all original!" Semantics can be fascinating.

George P.

I just wait for a nice bottom to come up on Ebay and do a switch. Sometimes a machine comes up with a beat down upper works but it has a great case. You pick it up and do a switch and unload the beat down machine.

Hi Jerry.
It looks like George took care of my soapboxing. I'm pretty much against repro decals or case swapping except when unavoidable (ie: destroyed finish or destroyed/missing case). With that said, I'd also like to point out that I've never been able to make a profit on any phono item that I've resold. The Standard is a common machine and another swapped-out case or repro decal probably won't do earth-shattering harm. I wouldn't do it myself, but it's really a personal choice. As to your specific machine, I think the finish looks nice as-is. In any event, I hope that the sale goes well.
Regards,
Martin

I say just try cleaning the decal up with some Kotton Kleanser first. Or, Put a repro "Edison" waterslide decal over the original. That would not hurt anything.

No way would I put a Banner decal on that unit. It does not belong there.

Tony K.