The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Was there a Blue Gem or has this been repainted ? it looks well done if it has been...

I'd say this is repainted- the paint and striping are too fresh compared to the age on the plate and mandrel. In any case I've never heard of these in blue

This machine has come up before. Repainted.

Thanks ! Thought I'd seen it before somewhere !!

It looks like it's due for a proper re-paint... This time in the proper color..

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

NEFaurora wrote:It looks like it's due for a proper re-paint... This time in the proper color..

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

As long as the owner likes it and it isn't likely to be taken as something genuine, I'd say keep it as it is. Looks like it was a careful job, and there are thousands of black ones.

The late Mike Field, a leading machine repairer and restorer in the UK, built himself a blue Gem for his own amusement and never attempted to pass it off as original. Whether the machine pictured was his I do not know, but it does seem likely.

Mike's booklet "Restoring the Edison Gem" was first published in 1986 and is still available as CLPGS Reference Series No.7.

His replica 1886 Bell-Tainter Graphophone is in the Science Museum in London, a lasting testament to his skill.

Is this machine for sale somewhere?

There are two threads about "Blue Gems" currently on the forums.

Hi it is on Ebay in the UK item no:301947417689. Currently at £87.24 !

Thank you!