The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Recently no one bid on this with an opening bid of $4000 (+18% fee). The auction house had an expectation of $8000-$12,000. Is this model worth $5000? Do other Edison period models come up for sale? Thanks in advance for any input on this. -Wayne

Certainly an incredibly rare piece but these big ones have a very limited market. I would not want to purchase it but would love to see some more detailed pictures.

That is really cool! Based upon the serial # I would guess that it is the first produced (certainly 1000 were not made). No idea on value but apparently nobody was willing to pay $4K that day. As a collector who may want a machine of that rarity, I dont think that $4K would be out of the question but there are VERY few collectors that would want it or would pay that much.

I too would like more pictures if they are available.

Thanks!
Scott

Only 6 photos were provided.

An electric motor and a speed control in the "wrong" place on the bedplate! I'd love to see under the bedplate on this one!

A friend of mine who has owned Art models in the past, but not Edison art models, opined that in today's pessimistic market, a large console model like this is only worth about $1200 to $1800! Maybe he's right. Maybe times have changed!

I wondered about this as well. I didn't notice the set opening bid. I wouldn't have spent that much even if it were sold for considerably less. My deciding not to try we based on distance, weather and then where do you put a machine this wide.. You need a large space to do it justice. I have that but my other Edisons are in line for the existing wall should my moms home become mine. Still its a neat looking piece. I somehow recall one selling for about half that price on ebay a number of years ago. I guess I have been among those who always liked the console models when many people shunned them. But then I liked phonographs when just about everyone shunned them!

Larry

In forty plus years of collecting I have never seen a "special" model Edison Diamond Disc. I have seen art model Victors, Columbias, and a few other brands. Collectors seem to have great interest in Victor Art Models but much less interest in other brands. Collectors set values and high end Victrolas seem to have good value. A $3000 Victrola XVII with an oriental finish sold quickly for full price on craigslist last week. Non-Victor Period models seem much softer in value. Jerry Blais

From what i have read, Edison struggled mating the diamond disc mechanism with an electric motor and gave up on it early in production. Was the Econowatt motor (pictured) used in the diamond discs? I guess this one is laying loose from the machine. -Bill

Yes, thie photo was of a spare DC motor offered with the proposed sale. Here's the listing description:

A rare 1913 Edison "Elizabethan" model phonograph, serial #1000 (this is the first machine produced of this model). Hand carved Oak case from Edison's "Art Case" series. This is one of the first machines produced with an electric motor and retailed for over $850.00 in 1913. Original "Diamond Disc" reproducer was state of the art at the time and played Edison's top of the line records. Original finish with only minor wear. Includes and extra Reproducer in the box, an extra DC motor and a Diamond Disc record, requires D C current for use. 60 x 23 x 45" high. ESTIMATE $8,000-12,000 ex collection Charles E. Gregory, Melvindale, Michigan