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Trying to help a friend of a friend understand the machine she's selling isn't going to let her retire, supposedly a 1912 Diamond Disc, any info from the serial number is appreciated, here's all I could get from her... C-19 107095, thanks in advance for any info!

RSStone wrote:Trying to help a friend of a friend understand the machine she's selling isn't going to let her retire, supposedly a 1912 Diamond Disc, any info from the serial number is appreciated, here's all I could get from her... C-19 107095, thanks in advance for any info!

The C-19 machines date from 1919 to about 1926 or so.

AmberolaAndy wrote:

RSStone wrote:Trying to help a friend of a friend understand the machine she's selling isn't going to let her retire, supposedly a 1912 Diamond Disc, any info from the serial number is appreciated, here's all I could get from her... C-19 107095, thanks in advance for any info!

The C-19 machines date from 1919 to about 1926 or so.

That much I knew, told her but she's insisting it was bought new in 1912 because her Mom said so!! Trying to convince her it's nothing special so was hoping to find date of manufacture specifically to put in front of her, told her just from the serial # that there are at least 107094 more just like it but she's an idiot lol... Now it's just turned into me wanting to prove her wrong to shut her up, childish I know, but she got on my last nerve lmao

RSStone wrote:Trying to help a friend of a friend understand the machine she's selling isn't going to let her retire, supposedly a 1912 Diamond Disc, any info from the serial number is appreciated, here's all I could get from her... C-19 107095, thanks in advance for any info!

Well, first of all the C19 was introduced in April, 1919. It was Edison's flagship Diamond Disc Phonograph and promoted as "The Official Laboratory Model" of Thomas Edison. What it meant in reality is that it is a floor standing upright phonograph which was produced with the largest of their horns, and used a strong 2-spring motor.

Generally speaking: IF the Diamond stylus of the reproducer is in perfect condition, and the unit operates and plays as it should, it might be difficult to sell the machine for more than $200-300 in a mahogany cabinet, or $350-400 in an oak cabinet in superior condition. These are incredibly plentiful machines, and the market has been quite soft in recent years. Any additional attachments or accessories, and available records will of course help to increase value, or at the very least help to sell the machine.

Best,
Fran

EDIT: Here's a link to my production estimates for the Chippendale C250/C19, found at the Antique Phonograph Society website, for clarification pertained to your friend's C19 serial number. https://www.antiquephono.org/edison-c-2 ... -1925-pdf/

Thanks folks, hopefully this information will get through to her and give her more realistic expectations, she thinks her machine is worth $4000 or more...

I'd let her figure it out on her own.

Here's what's currently available on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... 9&_sacat=0

Here's what's sold- and hasn't sold:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... Complete=1

The $1695 one sold with "best offer accepted" but no way of knowing what the actual sale price was.

With someone like that, I would just walk away and let them live in their own delusional fantasies. I have dealt with people like that, and just walk away. They are not worth the bother or aggravation.
Harvey Kravitz