The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A couple of days ago I stopped at our local antique mall. The owner asked if I'd seen the Edison that was tucked away in the corner of the upper floor. I raced upstairs and found the Edison and the price was only $199. I lifted the lid and the reproducer was in the carriage. I then lifted the machine and could tell by weight the motor was there. I didn't even look inside the motor area. With three horns it was well worth the asking price so I made a couple of trips to the cash register. When I arrived home I looked in the motor area just hoping the crank was there. It was and much more! Everything in the photo was included. I was delighted to find so many accessories that were included with the original Home outfit such as the Directions for Setting Up and Operating the Home Edison Phonograph, the 1902 Parts Of Phonographs, and Making Records At Home With An Edison Phonograph as well as the recorder (cutting stylus missing), the camel-hair brush, and finally the jeweler's screwdriver. In truth I almost missed the tiny screwdriver. I was in the cleaning process and ready to dump the bits of stuff that accumulated in the bottom of the cabinet. I thought the metal object was a bent nail or bit of wire. I was delighted to find it was a small screwdriver.

My best guess is this Edison Home, serial #H57160 was a valued possession from its purchase in Sept. 1902 (Thanks George for the accurate date! ) to some date when it was replaced by something more modern. It was never converted to play four minute cylinders. When it was stored in the attic everything was kept together. The little celluloid tag in the front says "S.B Davega Sporting Goods 32 East 14th St. N.Y." Somehow all this came to Oregon, found its way to an estate sale, to the antique shop, and now my workbench. In the near future this Home will sing again.

Jerry Blais

Nice Score Jerry B...

Wish I had scores like that...

The last good one that I had like that was a beautiful Edison Standard D find that was in excellent shape in a consignment shop but needed some love and attention...to get it going again...It did come with the horn though..

Again, Great score...

Have fun with it all!

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Wow, what a great find. Congratulations Jerry! I can't believe an antique store had that for $199...

Andreas

Great find, especially with that fully intact pin striping! That's going to clean up really well. Congrats!

I can't believe an antique store had that for $199...

It was in a big mall and the seller had it well marked as "untested." I'm sure that scared away prospective buyers. I don't think I've worked so hard to disassemble a machine. Whatever lubricant used a 100 years ago has turned to glue. Little parts that usually come apart easily are a battle... but I'm winning.

This is a machine that I'll be selling. My dilemma... Do I keep all the fun smalls with this machine or transfer them to the long green Home in my collection? I don't mind selling with the 14" horn, the larger horn, and the recorder. I'd really like to keep the paper, the camel-hair brush, and the screw driver. Opinions?

Jerry Blais

I'd keep the goodies with it, horns and all. And then I'd sell the machine currently in the collection to keep this one. Or if I had to, I'd keep both.

You don't want to separate it from all its awesome provenance & accessories after over 115 years in one place, do you? It's really rare to see one in that great of shape!

Either way though, you did amazingly well for $199. I like seeing them like this!

Sweet deal!

Steve

That's a nice, intact group, Jerry - congratulations!

Edison Home #57160 left the factory in September 1902.

George P.

Sometimes I like to keep records with a machine if they are from the right period. Other collectors would split them apart and are not interested in the records. If they were not period I would sell or trash the records. We all have different preferences and opinions. Once you sell it you don't know what the next owner is going to do anyway. I would keep the parts you like. We have all bought machines to get parts for a better machine. I bought a Mahogany L-door many years ago just for the records boxes. I had a better machine that needed them.

Great find Jerry. That will clean up nicely. Almost one of those one in a life time finds. The horns sweeten the deal. They are great. It seems even sporting goods stores sold phonographs. That sort of surprises me.