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That's great! Thanks. That narrows the Opera / Concert switchover to a narrow 60 digit window -- between 3980 and 4040.

It definitely appears that the Concert designation wasn't in use for long.

- #1741
- Oak
- I have owned for 18 years
- Steve Farmer restored back to life in 2003

Rene;

Mine is oak, #726, all original.

Scott

Edison Opera
Serial Number: 4153
Wood: Mahogany
Marking: Concert
Owner: Stan Stanford

MAHOGANY OPERA
SERIAL NUMBER 2161
I've owned it about 30 years

OAK OPERA
SERIAL NUMBER 2672
I'm the owner


Larry Crandell

1280 was restored by the previous owner in the 1970s. I have owned around 40 years.
Mahogany case.

A number of years ago, I collected a lot of photographs of various models of phonographs. I went back and looked through the files and here is what I came up with for Operas. I'm pretty sure most of the information is correct. Most had photos of the patent plate or a description that said the serial number. I have no idea who they belonged to. Some were for sale. I was just interested in learning from the photos and descriptions.


#23
Mahogany

#702
Mahogany

#792
Oak

#1014
Mahogany

#1369
Mahogany

#2020
Oak

#2197
Oak

#2627
Oak

#2667
Oak

#3028
Oak

#3228
Oak

#3239
Oak

#3322
Mahogany

#3574
Mahogany



This one is a little different. It is definitely gold plated, but the gold is too bright and shiny to be old. The horn support is not gold plated but is painted maroon. There is a photo of the patent plate, so the serial number is correct.

#4356-81
Oak
Gold Plated ?


Harry

Thanks so much! I had found two of those online in my own searches, but most of those are new to me so they add to the list (and increase the count of oak survivors).

I'm curious about the gold-plated one you reference. Dominic DiBernardo showed a (fantasy) gold-plated Opera at Union in 2009, but I don't know the number. That was mahogany. (I attach a photo.) If you saw one in oak it must be a different one.

I'm confused by the number you list -- 4356-81. Was that meant to be 4356?

Here’s some more:

#3772
Oak

#354
Mahogany

#74
Mahogany

#1051
Oak

#1234
Oak


I am attaching the photos I have of the gold Opera:

Phonolair wrote:MAHOGANY OPERA
SERIAL NUMBER 2161
I've owned it about 30 years

OAK OPERA
SERIAL NUMBER 2672
I'm the owner


Larry Crandell

Hey Larry, my Opera is only 4 s/n's from yours, (2676).