The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have wondered which of the Edison B-19 Chalet’s is the rarest one? Rouge or Natural?
Natural being the one that looks like maple or the rouge that looks like mahogany.

I have seen fewer of the rouge finish B-19's. But I personally prefer the natural finish gumwood because it's light colored and interesting. The rouge finish gumwood looks so much like the common mahogany floor model Edison DD's. I have one of each in the collection. As with all Edison DD tabletop models they're beastly to pick up and move but interesting for what they are.

Doug

I agree with Doug. Gumwood is seldom seen in a talking machine which makes it more interesting. Jerry

I've had the opposite experience, and have seen many more of the Rouge finished B 19s.

Best,
Fran

I agree with Fran. I've had several of the rouge examples, but only one in the natural finish (with a matching base cabinet).

Sorry, I didn't really answer the question. Yes, I suspect the rouge finish is more unusual for the B-19. I was giving my personal preference and that wasn't the question. Jerry B.

I've found and purchased at least four of the natural finish B-19's over the years and only one in the rouge finish. I kept the best one in the natural finish. I've seen several other B-19's for sale over the years in the natural finish but far fewer in the rouge. It's only my opinion based on what I've seen and found in my travels and at local auctions. A rational guess might be that Edison DD dealers in different areas ordered cabinet finishes based on customer preference in their area.

I also suspect that the rouge is rarer. I just wanted to get an idea from other fellow collectors. One thing that I have noticed is that my area of NW Indiana and Chicago seems to have preferred the Mahogany finish over oak.

I live in the D.C area, and I've never even seen an oak Victrola. Even though I've only collected since August, I've looked at at least 30 Victrolas, 5 of which I now own. They were all Mahogany or Walnut.

Speaking of Victrola's in Oak, I did see a nice Oak VV-XVI L-Door back in 1995 or 1996 in an antique shop in Chesterton, IN, it was $400.00. That sure seemed like alot for a young 22 year old making $ 5.00 an hour. Around here, any Edison or Victor in Oak is rare.