The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

whoopinola wrote:good luck in your search

Thank you whoopinola, your Chippendale is in the database now.

Best,
Fran

Thank you miker2001, I appreciate your contribution.

Best,
Fran

With all the activity lately around the C250/C19s, I got curious about another possible variant. The back of my C19 is finished, but the "Chinese card frieze," as Frow describes it, is missing on the back, just a plain strip of wood where it would go. Are all of them that way, or was the frieze dropped as one of Edison's cost cutting measures somewhere along the way?

Clay

FloridaClay wrote:With all the activity lately around the C250/C19s, I got curious about another possible variant. The back of my C19 is finished, but the "Chinese card frieze," as Frow describes it, is missing on the back, just a plain strip of wood where it would go. Are all of them that way, or was the frieze dropped as one of Edison's cost cutting measures somewhere along the way?

Clay

That's a good question, Clay. Mine doesn't have the frieze on the back, and it was originally a C-250. I'll make sure to check others to see if it was a continual method of construction.

Fran

I just checked the three Chippendales here, and none have the frieze on the back.

George P.

My early C-250 also does not have the frieze at the back.

Bill

I just checked my C-250 (otherwise catalogued above), and it, too, is smooth on the back--no frieze.

Clay, I think it's safe to say that the rear of the cabinets used for the C-250's and C-19's had no embellishments. That would make perfect sense given that the backs of other manufactured cabinets wouldn't have any "special" features either.

Fran

Hi folks, this project is moving along at a brisk pace!

As I mentioned when I began my research, I need your help in compiling a spreadsheet that will culminate in an historically accurate reference for the phonograph community to use for the assessment and restoration of these wonderful New Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs.

"The instrument that holds the musical ear." - Advertisement, The Talking Machine World, April 15, 1915 issue, ppg. 12 & 13.

It is my intention to compile as much data as I can find to establish, exactly or as closely as I can, when significant production changes were made to the C250 and C19 Diamond Disc Phonographs over their lifetimes. Once compiled, I feel that I should be able to demonstrate a chronological history of these changes and, hopefully, identify precisely when these changes were implemented by Thomas A. Edison Inc., from a serialization standpoint and when.

The following are particular features and characteristics that I am looking for:

1. Model Designation: (C-250 or C-19)

2. Serial Number:

3. Bedplate Pinstriping: Y/N

4. "Official Laboratory" Medallion: Round/Pentagonal/None

5. Exact Wording of the Medallion: Please be precise (Abbreviated signature, for example)

6. Record Storage: Drawers or Shelves?

7. Cabinet Wood Type: Mahogany or Oak?

8. Duncan Stop?: Y/N

9. Dealer Tag: Name/Address, Location On Machine 

10. Original Dated Sales Receipt/Shipping Documentation, etc.: (Dates are particularly noteworthy):

11. Grille cloth? Color?

If you would rather remain anonymous, please feel free to PM me here, or you can email me at FPratt1426 (at) gmail (dot) com, instead of posting a reply.

Your participation and comments are truly appreciated, thank you,

Fran

Fran, I want to congratulate you on the great progress being made on this database. I knew that many folks are quite enthusiastic about the Chippendales and that a community of interest would propel your project along--and so it has proved.

Some of you will remember that I started my "inventory" of the Edisonic phonographs when a Pennsylvania dealer totally parted out--and thereby destroyed--a Schubert Edisonic. Now, as I regularly search E-bay for Edison products, I've concluded that Chippendales seem to be victims of parting out at an alarming rate--well above the "mortality rate" of the Edisonics. Given how big and heavy the Chippendales are, I think the temptation among dealers is great to strip them down and sell the parts instead of arranging for transportation of the whole. I have seen numerous examples of the serial number plates being sold by themselves; I've always wondered, who would want such a non-functioning part that is useful only when attached to its phonograph?

Fran, have you considered starting a record of the destroyed Chippendales? I know you have enough on your plate now. I'd defer to you if you want to take that on, but if you don't, I could start a thread to which people who find these stripped-off serial plate numbers can submit those numbers. Unfortunately, it would not be hard to get started; these Chippendale serial number plates appear on E-bay constantly.

Ralph

P.S. Or, perhaps, I (or anyone--feel free) can start a "serial number graveyard" thread that records all serial number plates that appear on E-bay and elsewhere.