The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I received this message from a friend who owns a small music museum. Does anyone have an answer to his question?

Thanks,
Green Mountain Bill


I have acquired a box of Ediphone dictation cylinders, very nice but I have left them in their tubes because while I thought they would have a smooth ‘wax’ inner surface, they have a bright blue fibrous lining which could be to create ‘grip’ on the mandrel, but it flakes and I am worried in case it contains asbestos so we couldn’t put them on show. Have you ever heard of cylinders having a fibre or fabric inner liner?????? I can;t find anything online.

I have never heard of such and question why asbestos would have been used for such an application instead of some other fiber. Asbestos is white, not blue. Assuming the worst, if the cylinders were displayed inside a glass display case, why would it matter? Many toxic substances can be managed safely using a bit of common sense.