The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Guys,

I am familiar with the brown and the maroon and this one is neither. Daylight, flashlight, lamp light, moon light, or flash, she is no-bones-about-it absolutely, unquestionably black.

Clay

Yep - that looks black to me!

George P.

phonogfp wrote:Yep - that looks black to me!

George P.

Sure looks black to me too...

I wonder if this machine was manufactured right after the factory fire of 1914 and black was the only color available?
Dave

Discman wrote:I wonder if this machine was manufactured right after the factory fire of 1914 and black was the only color available?
Dave

I'm thinking probably not. I gather Edison shipping records for various serial numbers showing where they went and when no longer exist. However, as I understand Frow, post-fire production shifted to the B250s and the only A250s that went out afterward were about 250 of them that survived the blaze.

We may never know why this one went out black. It could have been something as simple as a temporary shortage of the maroon finish usually used on mahogany examples. We know Edison was pragmatic when it came to doing what you needed to do to get something out of the door. Or it might possibly have been something like a special request from a good customer or special friend. As the king said, "Tis a puzzlement."

Clay

Clay, it would be interesting to see the back right corner of the bedplate close up if you have, or could take a picture of that. Very interesting indeed!

Clay,
Can you determine what color the bedplate support brackets are? They usually match the color of the bedplate. I have a mahogany A250 serial #8800 that has a brown bedplate and brown support brackets, not the usual maroon color.
Dave

Discman wrote:Clay,
Can you determine what color the bedplate support brackets are? They usually match the color of the bedplate. I have a mahogany A250 serial #8800 that has a brown bedplate and brown support brackets, not the usual maroon color.
Dave

They are not painted. Just the gray of cast iron.

Clay

Very interesting Clay!

Fran