The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
I just picked up an Amberola 50 and was wondering if it is possible to look up the serial number to find an approximate year of production?

Here is the serial number: SM-23409

Thanks.

Interesting: I didn't know the "SM" prefix was used on Amberolas....

Bill

Lucius1958 wrote:Interesting: I didn't know the "SM" prefix was used on Amberolas....

They certainly were but like most things Edison, not consistantly.

The plate on my Amberola III shows Type "SM" Model "III", the Amberola 75 shows "75 SM xxxxxx" but the Amberola VI dosn't mention SM but shows Model "VI" and the serial number.

Best wishes

Tim W-W

SM on Edison models is Spring Motor.
Harvey Kravitz

What color is the dataplate?

On the Amberola 50..

The Black and Aluminum dataplates were used from 1915 to 1917.

The Brass dataplates were used from 1918 to 1929.


According to Frow's Amberola 50 production publishings, Your Amberola 50 was made in the 1917-1918 timeframe. Knowing what color your dataplate is would narrow it down even more since it seems to fall within the dataplate changeover cut-off period. It would be a good "estimate".

Tony K.

Thanks for the info Tony, that's great!
It has the aluminum plate, so I guess it was made in 1917.

Do you know the exact date when Edison started with the brass plates on the Amberola 50? Was it with the new year (Jan 1), or did it happen some time into the year 1918?