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Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 12:38 am
by Steve Levi
I thought I would share this great find with the forum. This machine acquired last month at an auction sale. The owner had passed on in 1978. He had been in his forties. His widow was downsizing (she is in her 80's). I was able to talk to her son (he is 59), he confirmed that this Amberola had been in an ATTIC since 1978. A truly great find for me. I was not aware of this machines identity until I attended auction. Auction house had one full straight on picture and I had assumed this was a A or B-250. Delighted to discover #126 Amberola under lid. Part of back door missing, other than that, a fairly good survivor! Here are a few photos.
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 1:26 am
by tomb
Nice machine Tom B
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 3:09 am
by Valecnik
Nice! Do the numbers on the bed plate and on the cabinet both say 126? Also is it oak or mahogany? Hard to tell with the rather dark pics.
Congratulations!
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 5:47 am
by FellowCollector
Valecnik wrote:Also is it oak or mahogany?
Definitely looks like oak, Bruce, according to the first picture around the lid decal. The presence of two ID plates (one on the cabinet as expected and one under the mandrel?) is a bit confusing. A nice find indeed and it's a beauty!
Doug
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:31 am
by Steve Levi
Gentlemen, thanks for your comments. Serial# on case is 4387. Case is mission oak. I will post some better photos later today. Working with a cell phone camera with no flash. I've enjoyed many a thread on this forum and thought it was my time to share with you. The motor serial is 331. I believe early 1a's had I'd plate under mandrel. Later on some were stamped on bed plate. I hope all enjoy and I welcome any questions or comments. Will try and answer as best as I can. This is to let others know there are still machines hidden and stored away, waiting for a good home from folks like us! Merry Christmas! Steve
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 10:13 am
by gemering
Steve,
Great find!
These are very handsome and reliable machines.
Gene
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 10:14 am
by DGPros

So you're telling me there's a chance....
[youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA[/youtube]
Looking forward to some future pics too
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 2:07 pm
by Steve Levi
Photos as promised:
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 2:13 pm
by Steve Levi
And some more pics:
Re: Early Amberola 1a in a late 1b case
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 4:28 pm
by Jerry B.
I don't recall ever seeing an ID plate attached to the mechanism of a 1-A or B. Interesting... If I had to go down to one machine, it would be my Amberola 1-A. The 1-A & B are marvelous machines. Jerry Blais