The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I would appreciate some help in identifying this machine. It has a "C" reproducer and the serial number is H 88448. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance,
Brent

That's an Edison Home Phonograph, Model A. It has an incorrect reproduction decal on the cabinet. The original decal was a banner design.

George P.

Does the inside of the lid and case have a green color? Most Model A Homes in that cabinet are green on the outside with the banner decal that George mentioned. If it were my machine I would restore back to green, if appropriate, including a banner decal. If you take this route buy a quality decal. It's not an exaggeration to say that you can spot a poor quality banner decal from across the room. Jerry Blais

Also, this machine is a two minute cylinder machine and that is what the "C" reproducer was designed to play. You can ONLY play brown or black wax cylinders or 2 minute celluloid "Indestructible" cylinders. It is not made to play Edison Blue Amberol 4 minute celluloid cylinders...

Good morning,
Thank you for the quick responses, I appreciate it!

Yes the inside of the lid is green, and yes I did realize that it only plays the 2 minute cylinders, I have a few cylinders, I will have to check the color of them though.

I know serial numbers on these phonographs has been quite an issue, there not being very many records kept, but is there any info on this serial number....H88484. Was this a very early model, most other Home editions I have seen had 6 numbers sequences usually starting with a 1, any history on this would be appreciated.

Best regards,
Brent

Edison Home No.88484 left the factory about December 1903.

Serial numbering began at No.1, in October 1896. By the end of May 1908, No.317499 had been reached, and sales continued for approximately six more years. The Home evolved through six models (A-F) over its production lifetime.

George P.