The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

ohh so I was looking on ebay and see this....

Looks like a possible C model?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-vintage ... 1182111573

I'm not so sure if he is trying to pull my leg or if he is just not realizing the model he has but seems to be rather simple to read a plate.

He did say that most horns were black with gold trim...but that people painted them. So It's possible he just doesn't know?

I do wonder why he would be putting out that it's a model C if it's on the plate as something else.

Maybe he actually has a model C and was mistaken about what he posted.

And I do like this...
"Don't let his mistake become your mistake"

Thanks for that! Does make me step back and rethink this.

To say this machine is a " HORROR " seems a bit harsh and counter-productive to the posters query. Gerard

Hello,
The second EBay listing you posted appears to be an Edison Standard model A. Notice that the case is much shorter than the later model B case. I think this machine originally had the Banner decal and someone has refinished it and replaced the nicer earlier decal with a later repro " Edison" decal. Part of the reproducer and the shaver is missing as is the lid. The only good part is the original brass bell Edison horn which are getting harder to find. As is this machine might be worth $200.00
Pete

Iva wrote:ohh so I was looking on ebay and see this....

Looks like a possible C model?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-vintage ... 1182111573

I'm not so sure if he is trying to pull my leg or if he is just not realizing the model he has but seems to be rather simple to read a plate.

He did say that most horns were black with gold trim...but that people painted them. So It's possible he just doesn't know?

I do wonder why he would be putting out that it's a model C if it's on the plate as something else.

Maybe he actually has a model C and was mistaken about what he posted.

And I do like this...
"Don't let his mistake become your mistake"

Thanks for that! Does make me step back and rethink this.

Iva, I think Jerry stated it best several posts back......

"Many Edisons were sold with the model C reproducer and sellers frequently think that means the machine is a model C. This is incorrect. For example, many model A and B Homes were sold with a C reproducer."

This pretty much covers it.

Iva, with the latest picture of the Home you put up of the top view, it sure looks like the bedplate has been repainted and new pin stripe. I'm thinking the seller is being vague about what he has, or he's not very familiar about phonographs and putting out incorrect information. I would be on my guard about anything he said or showed me.
Best Regards, Larry

wow it's really hit and miss with what is actually "the real deal" it sounds like.

And I am clearly out of my league on knowing what is legit.


One thing I have noticed in looking at pictures from the one I'm interested in...is the metal seems to be in really good condition. I'm not seeing much rust but it's hard to tell with that image.

alot of these on ebay seem to be rusted or have rust spots. so I guess that is a plus in his favor.

I was surprised to come across the Columbia case with a Victor motor. After that I went to Craigs list and looked around. The only thing that came up within a 4 hr one way drive from me was a VV100.

I LOVE IT!
I got it for 300.00 with 400 records. I'll post some pics after Super bowl.

I feel I got a good deal on it still today because of the use and joy I get from it. I'm not looking to sell these to make money but I hope my kids will keep ahold of them and carry them on through to their kids.
Taking apart a spring motor seemed kind of easy but I really don't know anything about these cylinder models and I'm not sure I want to tackle that. So it would be nice to have a good worked over machine.

(I think I'm trying to talk myself into getting it...lol)

And I don't mind at all about the "horror" remark...i got a good giggle out of it..but I did wonder what it was that repulsed him/her so much. The horn? or the shine on the case? and I'm seeing lots of cases with a good shine on the looking online.
But I would be a bit embarrassed displaying a model that might make other cringe at it.
But I thought it looked rather nice...so I'm guessing I don't know what to look for.

I meant that maybe he has a model C in his collection..but it's not the one he posted...although sounds highly unlikely.

So the paint and pin strip is almost to good to be true as well?

Its not that the paint is to good to be true. It's the pin stripe doesn't look right, especially the corners with the tuffs. It wasn't accurately done. There are people that can do this so well it's hard to tell even on close examination. But when you can tell from a couple of feet away it probably looks worse close up.
Best Regards, Larry

Iva wrote: And I don't mind at all about the "horror" remark...i got a good giggle out of it..but I did wonder what it was that repulsed him/her so much. The horn?

I was being a bit tounge in cheek, which I think you may have picked up on. It's not a horror, but, yes I dislike the paint job on the horn.

Not really contributing anything new to the thread, but I did take a look at the photos of the Edison "Home" machine in question, and it appears to have all the qualities of a "Home B", from 1906-1907:

End-gate, "signature" decal, speed-control below the top plate (inside), "tufts of grass" corner decoration, and the 2 & 4 minute gearing with the little selector lever (actually an optional feature).

I have one of these "Home B" machines, in nice original condition, down to the brass dealer's plate from Compton, California.

As others have pointed-out, a "Home C" does not have the swinging end-gate on the right-end of the mandrel ( silver drum that the cylinder record slides on-to ).


The correct reproducer for two-minute cylinders is the "Model C", which will be so stamped on the tail of the floating-weight. The reproducer for four-minute records is the "Model H".

Another thought about purchasing a machine is local pick-up vs. having one shipped: many antiques and collectibles are damaged or destroyed during shipping due to churlish handling and / or careless or thoughtless packaging.

Aside from the re-painted horn, the finish on the wooden cabinet looks too shiny. I do not believe these machines originally had a mirror "piano finish" nor a "wet", "poured" polyurethane bar finish...

The original finish was more of a satin to low-gloss finish.

As for "folks painting their own horns", I'm sure some did... but I have an original Tea-Tray Co. horn that came with one of my Edison "Homes", and whoever painted the pansies on it at the factory was quite talented. It is definitely not some "shabby-chic" Martha Stewart weekend project.


The collector you have been dealing with may be well-intentioned, and entirely confident of his knowledge and the value of his machines, but you wouldn't be out of line to thank him for his time, and telling him "you have to think about it"...


Good luck with your collecting; as others have mentioned, there are still many, many Edison cylinder players out there, "Standards" and "Homes" are probably the most plentiful, and you will find some that are better-priced.

you all are so helpful with info. It's just amazing.
I feel like I have some good info to talk to him about now and that I can go into this not so blind sided.
It's an hr drive away so it will be about 3 hrs of time. I'm very curious of what he might have for other players. He's heading out for about 5 weeks and I may just let him know I will call him when he gets back.
I wont feel so rushed then and I can take more time in trying to understand what the cylinder players are all about.

I have a feeling once I get one in my hands I'm going to be tickled pink.
But I don't want to waste his time or mine if he wont come down on that price.

Come to think of it....heck I could just repaint the horn too...hahahah....heh but I did kind of like it...

here is my VV100 I picked up in Washington.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/montanalif ... otostream/

you can click through and see more images of it if you would like.

It has wear and tear but I love love love it. I still need to clean it more. I did some GOJO on it but not all the dirt is off yet.
I had to re-glue some of the veneer and it has some water damage as if it was left in a few inches of water at one time.
The top player part looks to me as if it was cut from the bottom cabinet part. I've looked online and so far I have not been able to find a VV100 with a separate top and bottom. The bottom does go to it. The doors have the same hinges and latches.
If this was separate to begin with...I'm just amazed the pieces stayed together.

I got this one late in the year and have yet to take the motor out and re-grease the springs. Need summer for that. But it plays very good. I just need more needles.

I am so pleased with all the help ..again..thanks to every one. I will let you all know how it all comes out tomorrow and if I actually make it to his place. The roads are bad and I'm not to anxious to drive for 2 or more hrs on them.