The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Make: Edison Company
Model: B-250
Serial # SERIAL
Year(s) Made: produced 1912 - 1916
Original Cost: $250
Case/Cabinet Size: about 52" tall, 22 wide, 23 deep
Turntable/Mandrel: 12"
Reproducer/Sound-Box: early diamond disc reproducer, gold-plated
Motor: double-spring
Horn Dimensions: model 250, the big one
Reproduction Parts: all original
Current Value: depends on who's buying
Interesting Facts: Pooley designed the cabinet, originally used for those gargantuan upright cylinder players that now cost a small fortune... aside from that, the 250 was the first of the diamond disc players, I believe, and the B-250 was only preceded by the A-250... both were displaced by 1916 though by the C-250 (C-19, etc.)
Favorite Characteristics: the big dark forboding character the thing lends to a room (does not truly come across in photos), as well as the double spring motor which will play plenty of records on a single full wind.

Very beautiful Edison phonograph! One can easily see that the B-250 looks a lot like his younger brother, the C-250.



Rocky

EdisonSquirrel wrote:Very beautiful Edison phonograph!

I agree completely—I really like the look of mahogany with a burgundy grille cloth. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Is this one of your more frequently-used machines?

— MordEth

Beautiful machine, brianu! I've always admired early DD Phonographs -- I like the colored bed plates and fancy decals and striping.

John M

aside from the two DD players I'm currently selling (BC-34 and L-19), this is the only edison disc machine I've presently got... although even when it wasn't, it was pretty much the only one I used. it's due for a reproducer rebuild, although I've done nothing much to it mechanically and yet it plays perfectly, without a hitch.

Beautiful!

Your B250 looks great. You are lucky to have one with the painted bedplate. I dont know too much about the transition but alot of the B250s already had the plain black bedplate. And they are a great playing machine too.

Early Amberolas and Diamond Discs are a particular weakness for me and they are among the few machines I play whenever I get the chance.

I'd really suggest you get your reproducer rebuilt though. Depending on how bad yours is, the difference in sound quality could be anywhere from very noticeable to stunningly better!

Brian,

A beautiful example of the model, you must be quite proud of it.

Regards,
J.

Indeed a very beautiful machine, and it likely sounds as good as looks like!