The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks for the additional numbers. I'm really not sure what to make of the tag on the plated Opera. That stamping looks off, and not just because of the hyphenated extra two numbers. All of the other plates I've seen have the numbers spaced quite a bit apart.

Serial No: 1706
Wood: Mahogany
Owner: Me
Marking: Opera

Has a dealer plate from: Fletcher Bros., Nanaimo, BC but it was purchased by me here in the UK so at some point it has travelled from Canada to the UK.

All the best

Tim W-W

TinfoilPhono wrote:Thanks for the additional numbers. I'm really not sure what to make of the tag on the plated Opera. That stamping looks off, and not just because of the hyphenated extra two numbers. All of the other plates I've seen have the numbers spaced quite a bit apart.

That would definitely be an example where the number stamped behind the straight edge would be interesting to note. Maybe it was plated in 1981 and the owner at that time marked it this way? Besides the spacing, the font for the serial number also looks different. If not original, perhaps a blank plate existed, or the original number was ground off and re-stamped. As you stated, if the spacing remained the same, there would be no room for additional numbers. The photo is too small to see if the pins/brads on the plate are correct. Just a theory.

Edit: As noted in a later post in this thread, the serial number likely ends in "B1" and not "81," making this most probably a re-cased Amberola B1 mechanism with tag to match (non-factory).

1st one is oak
2nd one is mahogany

Thanks. 688 is now the lowest number recorded in oak. Anyone have one earlier?

No- I flipped them. The low number is mahogany. So sorry

Oops, thanks for clarifying!

While browsing eBay I noticed the remains of an Opera being offered for sale by our good friend croakinfrog. Although the maker's plate is gone, the boss behind the straight edge is clearly marked with the number 4317-B1--the same numbering pattern as that found on the plated machine.

That mechanism is from an Amberola B1, not an Opera. Note that the front view shows the typical hole at the right which serves as a hinge to lift up the mechanism in early Amberolas.

Thirty or so years ago there was someone making reproduction Operas, using Amberola mechanisms in new cabinets, with repro plates. The gold-plated 'Opera' may well be one of those.

JerryVan wrote:

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).

I also see Valecnik has Oak Opera #2667, 5 s/n's apart.
I wonder if the Opera's could have been built in groups. A group or run of oak cases and a group or run of mahogany cases.

Jerry your Opera and mine probably hung out pretty close to each other on the factory floor. And after all these years they're still pretty close together.

Larry Crandell