The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello Everyone,

We are Edison collectors turned auction gallery owners and we will be auctioning a beautiful Edison Phonograph Doll at our gallery in R.I. on Monday, November 17th.
This is a Simon & Halbig model. The head has no chips or cracks and includes all original teeth but there is no phono mechanism. Reproduction mechs are rumored to be around and repro records are available.
This doll was professionally cleaned and restrung by Linda Edward of the Newport Doll Museum. The original wig has some new mohair amendments and looks great.
Doll stand and custom made Victorian Style dress made from vintage materials is included.
Please contact us off list with any questions or for out of state bidding information. You may also visit our website: http://www.dovetailauctions.com for general auction information.
One photo is currently uploaded to our auctionzip listing. Our auctionzip ID number is 37005. More detailed pictures will follow soon.
This rare opportunity is surely a must for any serious Edison collector!

Thanks!
Nick & Melissa

There are new pictures of the Edison Doll for sale posted on Auctionzip. Just scroll down until you find the doll pictures. Here is the photo gallery link:

http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/photo ... &zip=&kwd=

The auction will take place Monday, November 17th starting at 6pm.

Please email with any questions.

Thanks,

Melissa
Auctioneer
Dovetail Auction Gallery
http://www.dovetailauctions.com
[email protected]

Good luck finding the phono parts. They have been used up from what I understand.

The head on your doll is certainly NOT a Simon Halbig head. The head is from the Bahr and Proschild porcelain factories. In addition, "Amberola" is very correct. Locating a replica mechanism will be virtually impossible.
Just thought you may want to be well-informed as you approach the auction.

I totally agree - not a Simon Halbig head.

Also the doll itself is not at all rare. Scarce maybe in good condition. After the Phonograph failed, the dolls were gutted and sold by the hundreds to discount chains throughout the US.

Doug (Hailey) and Rene would know. They both have an original. It is probably the rarest phonograph made? Less than a 100 left the factory?

Amberola has made a good point! A complete, with ORIGINAL mechanism, doll in original good condition, may demand quite a lot of money. The difference in value of a complete, correct doll, compared to a doll who has a missing mechanism, would be astronomical.

gramophone78 wrote:Also the doll itself is not at all rare. Scarce maybe in good condition. After the Phonograph failed, the dolls were gutted and sold by the hundreds to discount chains throughout the US.

My mom was a major doll collector and had an exceptionally nice one for years (without the mechanism, of course). I wish she had kept it. It was sold with a number of other dolls in an auction, so I don't know what it actually went for, but had the impression it fetched a couple thousand dollars.

Amberola wrote: It is probably the rarest phonograph made?

Ronnie, I don't believe it holds that distinction. There are a few other Phonographs that may hold that title. Some Tinfoils, treadle and water powered models come to mind.

It does however hold the distinction of being the first commercially made Phonograph offered to the public.

There are at least 4-5 that retain the original wax record. Not sure if Rene (or anybody) has determined how many still retain the original Phonograph??. However, there are a few. A "mint in box" sold for a record price North of 30K a few years ago now.

Empty dolls are still found in antique stores occasionally, doll collections and even on TV shows. Remember Charlie Hummel buying one on that antique show on TV. What did he pay.. $1500....???. I can't remember. I think she was naked... .

Of course the rarest talking doll would be the K&R Berliner doll. Only two are known... .