Slow rebirth of a Suitcase Home

[Accursius]

It has been some months since I was fortunate to make this little online discovery:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/ucp.ph ... 1&p=106671

Meanwhile,thanks to the incredible help of a forum member who allowed me to acquire a matching case and lid, the old machine is complete again. I had to disassemble the motor and replace the spring and some minor parts, as a previous owner had succeeded in making the whole mechanism run backwards (!), but now, the phonograph is working as it should, and playing very well, at least using another reproducer - the original Standard Speaker is very difficult to adjust as the recording sapphire is almost touching the cylinder surface even in "play" position.

While my general approach is to avoid removing any traces of history if possible, there is still much work remaining - including revarnishing the lid, which I have not dared so far, as my attempts to reproduce a color matching the "green oak" case have not been satisfying - so I will provide further updates.

[Curt A]

Great job bringing it back...

[phonogfp]

It may be too late for this, but suitcase Homes did not have green-stained cabinets.

George P.

[Accursius]

At least, I have never seen another example so far - but this one is, indeed, "Green Oak" and does not show any trace of having ever been repainted. After close examination, I'm 99% sure that this is the original finish of that case. The (prominent expert) forum member who kindly offered it for sale considered it authentic, too.

Irrespectively, it is definitely beautiful, and I'm happy to have it in my collection...

[cleveland1996]

Beautiful restoration...This machine is something to be very proud of...Congrats!!!!

Joe

[phonogfp]

At least, I have never seen another example so far - but this one is, indeed, "Green Oak" and does not show any trace of having ever been repainted. After close examination, I'm 99% sure that this is the original finish of that case. The (prominent expert) forum member who kindly offered it for sale considered it authentic, too.

Irrespectively, it is definitely beautiful, and I'm happy to have it in my collection...

If my too-brief posting came off as critical, I do apologize. That was not my intention, but rather to be helpful. I have congratulated you in earlier threads on your early Home, and I congratulate you again on your restoration.

George P.

[Accursius]

Sorry George - I really did consider your comment helpful, and my answer was not intended to sound impolite! Sometimes is difficult for a non-native speaker like me to strike the right note (especially if one has to translate his thoughts from a language that is not considered the epitome of politeness by the rest of the world...)

The cabinet is weird, indeed - kind of an out-of-place artifact. I think it may have been a replacement part made ten years after the Suitcase Home itself was discontinued.

[phonogfp]

No apology is necessary. It's often difficult (even for two native speakers) to communicate effectively through the printed word.

The forum member who sold you your Home cabinet happens to be a friend and colleague, and this morning he very kindly sent pictures of it for my benefit. My impression is that finish does indeed appear to be original, but the interior surfaces suggest that a stain or diluted paint was applied over that original finish. This might well have been done in 1901-1904 by the original owner to give it a "modern" appearance matching the Edison New Style cabinets that were appearing at that time. We'll never know for sure, I suppose.

Keep up the good work!

George P.