Original Record Storage Albums for the Edison Amberola III

[Valecnik]

Several years ago a picker friend of mine found an Amberola III at an auction which he quickly resold by the time I visited him. Of course I was sad to hear I'd missed it but he offered me some of the records that came with it. When he came out with the "boxes of records", they were two of the three pictured here. I bought both boxes including the the records pictured with them here. Unfortunately the third box he'd given to another customer who purchased several of the cylinders. So at this point I had two of the three boxes.

Fast forward two years or so and I saw an ad in the local Sunday paper, no internet then. It said something like "box of Edison records" $300. I called, drove over to have a look and sure enough it was the third box from the set. It's difficult to see but they are numbered in pencil, 1, 3, 2 just below where the boxes are stamped, "Records". I paid the $300 for the third box even though that was an outrageous sum for the time.

The Amberola III I purchased quite later but obviously they display nicely together. I've toyed with getting them reproduced. I would be willing to loan one of them to use as a model if anyone has any idea how that might be done.

[gramophone78]

What a great happy ending. The boxes really complete the machine. Thanks for sharing.

[rgordon939]

Wow, they look great under the machine. I have to find a set for my Amberola III.

Rich Gordon

[Jerry B.]

I would be interested in a set for my machine if they are reproduced. Jerry B.

[Andersun]

That really looks great! Glad you got them together again.

[audiophile102]

Great story and what a beautiful machine! The box set is like a cherry on top. Wonderful. The price you paid for the third box was well worth it.

[phonogfp]

I too would be interested in purchasing a set if they should ever be reproduced.

I wonder if set for oak cabinets were brown and those for mahogany were maroon?

George P.

[rgordon939]

That's a great question George.

Rich Gordon

[victorIIvictor]

Valecnik, thank you for the offer of loaning one of yours to uses a model; I know you have made this offer on this list before. I wonder if this is something that people involved in making art books or in restoring leather-bound books would be able to tackle.

I, too, would be interested in obtaining a reproduction set. If I find any leads in my area, I will pass along what I find to the list. I imagine the demand is rather low…

In the meantime, thank you for the pictures. Outside of small images in the Edison Phonograph Monthly, I had never really seen what these "albums" looked like.

Best wishes, Mark

[Slaton]

Bruce

That is a great find. Count me in as a buyer, too, if someone reproduces the cylinder albums.

Anil