The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A Ford 1 wrote:Hi Fran,
I have found among my emails that Steve was the person that thought my C-19 was an Edisonic but of course it is not.
I also over polished the lid key escutcheon to brass but with care was able to determine that other hardware is plated with rose gold a high copper alloy. Gold alloys can have at least the colors of rose, white, or green to my knowledge. I think these various gold color alloys were in favor in the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds. Of course the gold is mostly worn off the center and some edges of the door pull. I will have to be on the look out for a replacement escutcheon for the lid key hole.
Allen

Hello Allen,

I've noted at least 2 color variations in the appearance of the gold plating used particularly on the Chippendale Upright C 250/C 19. The earliest plating used on the C 250 components I own (C 250 #6947) appears to my eyes as remarkably more "orange" (coppery) colored than the later C 250, and then again later C 19 stuff I've examined -- which to me appears more like a "true" gold color-tone which is similar, or identical, to the color-tone of the gold plating on my Victrola XVI.

Perhaps the plating of the earlier examples was so thin that the color of the particular copper-zinc alloy substrate was actually showing through the plating. Or perhaps the specific alloy was later changed to improve the appearance of the thin gold plating. My observations are specifically pertaining to the exposed motor plates hardware, horn throats, reproducers, and "Official Laboratory Model" medallions.

Best,
Fran

Hi Fran,
Just noted that the medallion is gold gold, where as, the door pull is rose gold. I do not think the copper can diffuse into the gold plating due to the voltage potential forcing new gold onto the brass but may be there is an Electro-Chemist out there that can weigh in on this.
Allen
p.s. If any one out there can direct me to a post that shows before and after photos of Edison Diamond Disc gearing regarding conversion to LP or information on the conversion in general, I would like to see it.

I will consult with my best man Dr. Herman Urbach he is an Electro-Chemist, he landed on Iwojima, But he is becoming senile and I have not spoken to him in at least 9 or 10 months.
Allen

A Ford 1 wrote:If any one out there can direct me to a post that shows before and after photos of Edison Diamond Disc gearing regarding conversion to LP or information on the conversion in general, I would like to see it.

Ron Dethlefson had produced a copy of the actual TAE, Inc. instruction manual for the installation of the L-P device. Whether he still offers this, I do not know, but it's an avenue worth exploring.

For what it's worth, I'm convinced that 102+ years of aging, and environmental factors probably had something to do with the way in which the earlier gold plating held up. The later version appears to have been more durable, for whatever reason. I hope your Electro-Chemist friend can shed some light on the topic.

Best,
Fran

Hi All,
I found the reprint "The New Edison LP Phono." which covers installing the LP kit.
Allen

I have used those instructions, and they are excellent. My installation of the kit was not difficult, and it worked perfectly the first time.

I am glad to hear that. I spent the whole day purchasing a black ink for a printer I normally do not use, enlarging the size, making, and collating 4 copies of an old Artrio-Angelus manual for friends. Well, I also got to eat and start a wash. I think I had more time when I worked for a living because in retirement I can hardly get anything done.
Allen