The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has ever come across the original packing devices for Edison's Disc Phonographs HORN? In the set up instruction manual for the C250, B275, B375 and B450, what appears to be a wooden block called a "strip", shown in this picture, is being removed during set up. I would love to see good a picture of one, if possible. Sure would be cool to make a replica.

Best,
Fran

I have a copy of this manual too. The photograph shows this packing device with the C200 phonograph. My manual came with my C200. Of course back then these would be discarded rather soon like our styrofoam of today.

fran604g wrote:Hi folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has ever come across the original packing devices for Edison's Disc Phonographs HORN? In the set up instruction manual for the C250, B275, B375 and B450, what appears to be a wooden block called a "strip", shown in this picture, is being removed during set up. I would love to see good a picture of one, if possible. Sure would be cool to make a replica.

Best,
Fran

Fran,
Are you planning to repack your machine so you can take it with you if you end up in a retirement home?

Yes, I'm into that kind of "time machine" type stuff too. That's why I have an Edison Diamond Disc shipping crate. It is a beautiful crate with the "Phonograph with a soul" and "A Musical Masterpiece" printed in red on it. If you get a crate, never leave it outside for long. If it rains, all the red ink on the crate will run. I wonder if that wooden block has anything to do with the two eye screws you see in front of every Edison Diamond Disc horn? Finding an original block like that would be near impossible to find unless you found an Edison DD phonograph that had never been unpacked. And I've heard that they exist.

This odd stuff does show up now and then. The lid to my Triumph D still has one of the two original horseshoe-shaped packing braces inside. And when I got my Diamond Disc C 150 home some time ago and removed the grille, there was the original reproducer shipping cradle with the original unused reproducer still in it. There was another identical reproducer on the machine, which was the one that had been used over the years. I have always been curious as to what the story may be behind that.

Clay

Curt A wrote:

fran604g wrote:Hi folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has ever come across the original packing devices for Edison's Disc Phonographs HORN? In the set up instruction manual for the C250, B275, B375 and B450, what appears to be a wooden block called a "strip", shown in this picture, is being removed during set up. I would love to see good a picture of one, if possible. Sure would be cool to make a replica.

Best,
Fran

Fran,
Are you planning to repack your machine so you can take it with you if you end up in a retirement home?

Ya never know.

marcapra wrote:Yes, I'm into that kind of "time machine" type stuff too. That's why I have an Edison Diamond Disc shipping crate. It is a beautiful crate with the "Phonograph with a soul" and "A Musical Masterpiece" printed in red on it. If you get a crate, never leave it outside for long. If it rains, all the red ink on the crate will run. I wonder if that wooden block has anything to do with the two eye screws you see in front of every Edison Diamond Disc horn? Finding an original block like that would be near impossible to find unless you found an Edison DD phonograph that had never been unpacked. And I've heard that they exist.

I've glanced at the manual before, and yesterday I was compelled to actually read it. I finally know what the three screw holes near the front of the horn compartment on my Chippendale were used for!

It's a funny thing, as much as I love my machines, I'm more captivated by the History. I think hanging around with George P. has had a BIG affect on me.

I hope I can locate one of these to examine for dimensions and material.

Fran

Damfino59 wrote:I have a copy of this manual too. The photograph shows this packing device with the C200 phonograph. My manual came with my C200. Of course back then these would be discarded rather soon like our styrofoam of today.

I noticed it was a C200, too! I assume that because of the different horn sizes of the Disc models, that this "strip" might also be three different sizes. I'd love to examine one.

Fran

FloridaClay wrote:This odd stuff does show up now and then. The lid to my Triumph D still has one of the two original horseshoe-shaped packing braces inside. And when I got my Diamond Disc C 150 home some time ago and removed the grille, there was the original reproducer shipping cradle with the original unused reproducer still in it. There was another identical reproducer on the machine, which was the one that had been used over the years. I have always been curious as to what the story may be behind that.

Clay

That's nice Clay, I can't imagine how it would feel to pull the grille off and find something like that! I'm sure there must be some of these items around, it's just a matter of me finding them.

Fran

I found it very common for the reproducer crate still being in the horn compartment for Diamond Disc machines. Of course, finding a spare NOS reproducer still in it is a streak of luck. Even though, I think the long play consoles came with two reproducers, so maybe it's more common on these machines?

I always keep the original shipping box for my TV, computer, etc as long as I own the device. There must have been weird people like me back then. I'm sure if you look long enough you will find one.

Andreas