C250/C19 Database Survey - Updated 3/21/2018

[fran604g]

You're welcome, my pleasure.

Cheers,
Fran

[RCALen]

Hi Fran - for your database...

1. What is the Model Designation? C250

2. What is the Serial Number? SM-52917

3. Which finish does the motor plate have?: 3D) Black with NO pin striping.

4(A) No drip pan

4(B) Flat

4(C) 2 springs

4(D) Gold plated

5. 5C - R-1 Round emblem stating: “The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model Thos A Edison”

6. 6A) 2 Drawers divided into 5-compartments.

7. Cabinet Wood Type: Oak

8. Is an "Electric Automatic Stop" (AKA Duncan Stop) present? Yes

9. Dealer tags? No

10. Receipts? No

11. Is there Grille cloth present? Not exactly – original cloth was missing but some bits stuck inside the edges of the grill suggest there was an ivory-colored silk type fabric at some point. Not sure if that was original or not though.

12. Door rods are at Bottom

13. Cabinet Factory No.18

There is a “Notice” from the factory on left side in the horn compartment – see photos. I can also confirm that trim pieces do come off the cabinet where the glue has dried out. Several of mine pop out as you’ll see in the photos.

Also, this machine located in Alberta, Canada, if that is any interest. I’m the third owner and it was originally sold in Alberta as well from what I was told.

Thanks,
Lennon

[fran604g]

Hi Fran - for your database...

1. What is the Model Designation? C250

2. What is the Serial Number? SM-52917

3. Which finish does the motor plate have?: 3D) Black with NO pin striping.

4(A) No drip pan

4(B) Flat

4(C) 2 springs

4(D) Gold plated

5. 5C - R-1 Round emblem stating: “The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model Thos A Edison”

6. 6A) 2 Drawers divided into 5-compartments.

7. Cabinet Wood Type: Oak

8. Is an "Electric Automatic Stop" (AKA Duncan Stop) present? Yes

9. Dealer tags? No

10. Receipts? No

11. Is there Grille cloth present? Not exactly – original cloth was missing but some bits stuck inside the edges of the grill suggest there was an ivory-colored silk type fabric at some point. Not sure if that was original or not though.

12. Door rods are at Bottom

13. Cabinet Factory No.18

There is a “Notice” from the factory on left side in the horn compartment – see photos. I can also confirm that trim pieces do come off the cabinet where the glue has dried out. Several of mine pop out as you’ll see in the photos.

Also, this machine located in Alberta, Canada, if that is any interest. I’m the third owner and it was originally sold in Alberta as well from what I was told.

Thanks,
Lennon

edison1.png
edison2.png
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edison4.png
edison5.png

Thank you Lennon, I appreciate your contribution.

The Patent Protection notice would have been affixed to all Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs. Fortunately the cabinet glue issue you have doesn't seem to be very prevalent. That being said, I've encountered several Chippendales that have shown signs of deterioration, including an oak C 19 that I owned myself.

Cheers,
Fran

[spinalflow]

Thanks for your work on this project!

Here is my most recent machine

1. What is the Model Designation? C 250

2. What is the Serial Number? "SM-50830

3. Which finish does the motor plate have?: 3D) "Black with NO pin striping".

4(A) Are there drip pans present under the governor, innermost spring barrel (found only on the earliest C 250's) AND: are they finished in "Maroon", or "Black”? NO

4(B) Does the top of the motor plate have a continuous flat surface, or is there a large concentric circular depression (located beneath the turntable) present? Circular

4(C) Does the governor (located beneath the turntable) have "2 springs" or "3 springs"?

4(D) Which finish is on the reproducer, horn throat, and other hardware on the motor plate? Gold plated

5. Which "Official Laboratory Medallion" is present? 5C) "R-1" = Round emblem stating: “The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model Thos A Edison”

6. Which form of record storage is present: 6A) 2 Drawers divided into 5-compartments.

7. Cabinet Wood Type: Oak

8. Is an "Electric Automatic Stop" (AKA Duncan Stop) present on the motor plate? Yes

9. Please list any dealer tags or decals present anywhere on the cabinet: Name/Address, location on machine, etc.

10. Are there any original dated sales receipts/shipping documentation, etc. with the machine? (Dates are particularly noteworthy) Original Owners Manuel

11. Is there Grille cloth present? AND: What is the Color? NA Found strands of golden Yellow/ Orange fibers embedded in old glue

12. Is the record storage door held open by a rod at the top, center, or the bottom of the cabinet door? Bottom

13. What is the "Cabinet Factory No." - (if present) as found on the sticker inside the horn compartment. No. 18

[visierl]

Fran,
I don't think I posted a reply, oddly I did write up answers on a piece of paper here for your previous survey... Anyway, here are answers to your "current" survey...
The following are particular features that I am observing on the Edison C250/C19 Chippendale Phonographs, please number your responses accordingly.

1. What is the Model Designation? C 250

2. What is the Serial Number? SM-39868

3. Which finish does the motor plate have?: 3D ["Black with NO pin striping". Thomas Edison Signature is there but very worn, no pin-striping, no-speed control instructions,
no oiling instructions, doesn't look like any of these details were removed]

4(A) Are there drip pans present under the governor, innermost spring barrel (found only on the earliest C 250's) AND: are they finished in "Maroon", or "Black”? No

4(B) Does the top of the motor plate have a continuous flat surface, or is there a large concentric circular depression (located beneath the turntable) present? Flat

4(C) Does the governor (located beneath the turntable) have "2 springs" or "3 springs"? 2 Springs

4(D) Which finish is on the reproducer, horn throat, and other hardware on the motor plate? “Gold plated”, or “Gun-metal” (AKA "antique bronze")? Gold Plated

I have two reproducers, one is gold plated one is gun-metal, I believe the gold plated is original because it has the hole to plug the Duncan stop into
and it matches the horn throat

5. Which "Official Laboratory Medallion" is present? R-1 [Round emblem stating: “The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model Thos A Edison”]

6. Which form of record storage is present? 6A [2 Drawers divided into 5-compartments.]

7. Cabinet Wood Type: "Mahogany" or "Oak"? Mahogany

8. Is an "Electric Automatic Stop" (AKA Duncan Stop) present on the motor plate? Yes

9. Please list any dealer tags or decals present anywhere on the cabinet: Name/Address, location on machine, etc.? None

10. Are there any original dated sales receipts/shipping documentation, etc. with the machine? (Dates are particularly noteworthy)? None

11. Is there Grille cloth present? AND: What is the Color? Grill cloth is missing

12. Is the record storage door held open by a rod at the top, center, or the bottom of the cabinet door? Bottom

13. What is the "Cabinet Factory No." - (if present) as found on the sticker inside the horn compartment? None Present

Hope this is useful... According to information I found somewhere (probably somewhere on this site) Serial Number 32115 was built in early 1917 and production was about 3500 per month, so I have estimated this to be an early to mid 1917 unit (2 to 3 months after 32115). That could be completely wrong, though.

Eric

[fran604g]

Thanks for your work on this project!

Here is my most recent machine

1. What is the Model Designation? C 250

2. What is the Serial Number? "SM-50830

3. Which finish does the motor plate have?: 3D) "Black with NO pin striping".

4(A) Are there drip pans present under the governor, innermost spring barrel (found only on the earliest C 250's) AND: are they finished in "Maroon", or "Black”? NO

4(B) Does the top of the motor plate have a continuous flat surface, or is there a large concentric circular depression (located beneath the turntable) present? Circular

4(C) Does the governor (located beneath the turntable) have "2 springs" or "3 springs"?

4(D) Which finish is on the reproducer, horn throat, and other hardware on the motor plate? Gold plated

5. Which "Official Laboratory Medallion" is present? 5C) "R-1" = Round emblem stating: “The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model Thos A Edison”

6. Which form of record storage is present: 6A) 2 Drawers divided into 5-compartments.

7. Cabinet Wood Type: Oak

8. Is an "Electric Automatic Stop" (AKA Duncan Stop) present on the motor plate? Yes

9. Please list any dealer tags or decals present anywhere on the cabinet: Name/Address, location on machine, etc.

10. Are there any original dated sales receipts/shipping documentation, etc. with the machine? (Dates are particularly noteworthy) Original Owners Manuel

11. Is there Grille cloth present? AND: What is the Color? NA Found strands of golden Yellow/ Orange fibers embedded in old glue

12. Is the record storage door held open by a rod at the top, center, or the bottom of the cabinet door? Bottom

13. What is the "Cabinet Factory No." - (if present) as found on the sticker inside the horn compartment. No. 18

Hello "spinalflow"!

I apologize for not responding in a timely fashion but, all the same, Thank You for your contribution." You have a very lovely C250 there! I'm particularly fond of the oak cabinets. Especially when they look as "clean" as yours. Congratulations on a beautiful Chippendale.

[fran604g]

Fran,
I don't think I posted a reply, oddly I did write up answers on a piece of paper here for your previous survey... Anyway, here are answers to your "current" survey...
The following are particular features that I am observing on the Edison C250/C19 Chippendale Phonographs, please number your responses accordingly.

1. What is the Model Designation? C 250

2. What is the Serial Number? SM-39868

3. Which finish does the motor plate have?: 3D ["Black with NO pin striping". Thomas Edison Signature is there but very worn, no pin-striping, no-speed control instructions,
no oiling instructions, doesn't look like any of these details were removed]

4(A) Are there drip pans present under the governor, innermost spring barrel (found only on the earliest C 250's) AND: are they finished in "Maroon", or "Black”? No

4(B) Does the top of the motor plate have a continuous flat surface, or is there a large concentric circular depression (located beneath the turntable) present? Flat

4(C) Does the governor (located beneath the turntable) have "2 springs" or "3 springs"? 2 Springs

4(D) Which finish is on the reproducer, horn throat, and other hardware on the motor plate? “Gold plated”, or “Gun-metal” (AKA "antique bronze")? Gold Plated

I have two reproducers, one is gold plated one is gun-metal, I believe the gold plated is original because it has the hole to plug the Duncan stop into
and it matches the horn throat

5. Which "Official Laboratory Medallion" is present? R-1 [Round emblem stating: “The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model Thos A Edison”]

6. Which form of record storage is present? 6A [2 Drawers divided into 5-compartments.]

7. Cabinet Wood Type: "Mahogany" or "Oak"? Mahogany

8. Is an "Electric Automatic Stop" (AKA Duncan Stop) present on the motor plate? Yes

9. Please list any dealer tags or decals present anywhere on the cabinet: Name/Address, location on machine, etc.? None

10. Are there any original dated sales receipts/shipping documentation, etc. with the machine? (Dates are particularly noteworthy)? None

11. Is there Grille cloth present? AND: What is the Color? Grill cloth is missing

12. Is the record storage door held open by a rod at the top, center, or the bottom of the cabinet door? Bottom

13. What is the "Cabinet Factory No." - (if present) as found on the sticker inside the horn compartment? None Present

Hope this is useful... According to information I found somewhere (probably somewhere on this site) Serial Number 32115 was built in early 1917 and production was about 3500 per month, so I have estimated this to be an early to mid 1917 unit (2 to 3 months after 32115). That could be completely wrong, though.

Eric

Eric, Thank You for your information. It amazes me that there are so many extant Chippendales with the Edison Electric Automatic Stop which, by the way has historically been mis-represented as the "Duncan" brake or stop. That's a long story that can be found at the APS website in the form of an article I wrote many years ago entailing the legal battle over the patent rights of the device.

Without my intention of being pedantic, the device's correct name is the "Edison Electric Automatic Stop". Edison would never have allowed someone else's name to be refenced on his products, imnsoho. My apologies to George L. Frow who ultimately mis-named the device long ago and I hope I haven't started a pissing war with some of the elder members.