Inventory of Beethoven and Schubert Edisonic phonographs

[fran604g]

Ralph, how I would love the "Elizabethan" Art model listed with these two Edisonics! RIP Mr. Gregory, I wish I could have met him (and the ever-growing list of fine folks leaving us too soon).

Merry Christmas my friend,
Fran

[pughphonos]

Ralph, how I would love the "Elizabethan" Art model listed with these two Edisonics! RIP Mr. Gregory, I wish I could have met him (and the ever-growing list of fine folks leaving us too soon).

Merry Christmas my friend,
Fran

Yes--a truly stunning machine.

This time of year puts us in mind of loved ones lost. But as someone told me recently, "the only way to avoid being a survivor is to go first." I'll take a pass on that--and so, 2016, bring it on!

Merry Christmas to you as well, Fran.

[pughphonos]

NEW OWNER FOR SCHUBERT EDISONIC SERIAL NO. 1556

I (Ralph) have decided to let Schubert no. 1556 go; it's the one I obtained from Gene Emering last year. I mainly wanted it for its original grille cloth and Edisonic reproducer--which are now on my main Schubert (serial no. 3621). No. 1556 still has potential though; runs wonderfully on a single spring and one can tell the cabinet will restore nicely in skilled hands. It now belongs to Mike Wohl of Peoria, Illinois--who picked it up today. Mike has the heart of a rescuer/restorationist and I'm sure no. 1556 will re-emerge into public view in due course in great form.

[colmike1]

Thank you, Ralph, for entrusting me with this wonderful old phonograph. I will do my best to bring it back to its former glory.

[marcapra]

That is a fine Beethoven that the late Mr. Gregory had! I heard it sold for just $900. That's a bargain to me! Do we know who the new owner is? Marc.

[DGPros]

That is a fine Beethoven that the late Mr. Gregory had! I heard it sold for just $900. That's a bargain to me! Do we know who the new owner is? Marc.

Does anyone know what all 3 of his sold for and is that # with the 18%? I would love to know what the Elizabethan went for if nothing else.

[marcapra]

I was told that the Beethoven sold for $900 and the Schubert for $400. Plus you would have to add the 18% premium, which would make the Beethoven actually $1062 and the Schubert $472, plus shipping of course. The Edison Elizabethan, with a starting bid of $4000, did not sell.

[pughphonos]

STATUS REPORT FOR SCHUBERT SERIAL NO. 3621

Hi all,

After owning Schubert serial no. 3621 for a couple years, I've finally come to an end-point in terms of upgrades and restoration--and am now posting photos below. In my humble estimation, my Schubert is the nicest-looking and nicest-sounding of all the known survivors. Nicest-sounding, due to Larry Hollenberg's diaphragms. Nicest-looking, due to several folks who did great restoration work.

I paid a sizable sum to a museum-quality textile restoration shop to have my grill cloth (which originally was on Schubert serial no. 1556) cleaned, mended, and backed by a dark piece of silk to give it strength for the years to come.

As for the wood tone contrasts on the doors, I asked for a pretty definite contrast--with the reddish interior panels being definitely reddish! We of course will never know for sure what the contrast was when these machines were new in 1927-29, but this is what I opted for.

Once I get busy again on You Tube I will post some examples of this phonograph's sound.

Ralph

[fran604g]

Congrats, Ralph! She looks beautiful.

Fran

[pughphonos]

Congrats, Ralph! She looks beautiful.

Fran

Thanks, Fran. This machine has given me so much joy; I have to remind myself to listen to the Victrola once in awhile.

It's also good I'm done fussing with this machine as a good friend of mine (who's an antique phonograph collector and restorer) is working on resurrecting my Pathé Sheraton model 27. The thread I've started on that project should jump back to life in the next few weeks.