The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

What is the current market value of edison operas? Both mahogany and oak.

A lot depends on condition of course. And I have seen a lot of poorly restored and slickly refinished Operas that don't look to good. But if it looks good and plays well, and is original, or professionally restored, I would say 5K to 7K is about the value right now.

I agree with Marc. Post some good photos. Jerry Blais

I am thinking about trying to trade some good stuff to get one.

I saw a nice decent one at the Orlando phonograph show about two years ago... for $3700. It was reasonable. Ebay recently has some from 5K to 7K as mentioned above but I don't know if they've sold...

Certain things do figure into play such as... Original Music Master horn or not, Having the cover or not, Condition/Color of finish, rarity of specific model, options, etc.

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Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

4-10k depending on originality, condition, which reproducer(s) it has, etc. Mahogany usually sells for more than oak. A very nice, all original Mahogany example in excellent working order with both A and L reproducers that have been rebuilt and original Music Master horn also in good shape with no splitting and original paint on the elbow would fetch closer to the 10k range.

Also make certain that you don't have one of the home-made fakes, which use an Amberola 1B or III mechanism in a Triumph case with additional components to give it the Opera configuration. The bedplates are different, with the Amberola version having the cast-in spots for the pivot shafts. So you look along the front edge for a semicircular cutout. Here is a photo:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/downlo ... &mode=view

HisMastersVoice wrote: ....Mahogany usually sells for more than oak....

In my experience, and I've sold at least 25 Operas, oak always commands a premium over mahogany.

Raphael

Raphael wrote:

HisMastersVoice wrote: ....Mahogany usually sells for more than oak....

In my experience, and I've sold at least 25 Operas, oak always commands a premium over mahogany.

Raphael

Perhaps I mixed up my preference with reality...

I suppose you'd know better than any of us!

Raphael wrote:oak always commands a premium over mahogany.

I'm amazed that you have found this to be true, Raphael. Please accept that I'm not doubting your comment since you've seen many more Edison Operas change hands than I. But it would certainly be counter-intuitive with all aspects considered and in equality (originality, condition, function) that an oak Edison Opera with its relatively plain cabinet with oak horn would command a premium price relative to the Edison Opera in mahogany with a more ornate cabinet with decorative handles and harder to find mahogany horn. The oak Edison Opera may be slightly more difficult to find than the mahogany Opera but I can't see that driving the premium price. I'm presuming the reason for the oak Operas surfacing slightly less versus the mahogany Opera was that contemporary customers preferred the more ornate mahogany Opera for their buying dollar. I have two Edison Operas in mahogany and, like Brandon, I may be a bit biased toward the mahogany Opera. But personally, I would have a difficult time paying more for an oak Opera (and I'm casually looking for one) versus a mahogany Opera in like condition but that's just me.

Doug