The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all, new to Phonographs and here. I have just brought an Edison Model C ICS machine. What are my options as to cylinders? Can it play 90rpm and 160rpm cylinders? How can you tell the difference?

Andrew

Greeting Andrew,

Welcome to the Forum. The "C" refers to a series of machine. For example you could have a Model C Gem, Standard, Home, or Triumph. Most, but not all, ICS machines are Standards. So I suspect you have a ICS Model C Edison Standard. The "ICS" refers to the International Correspondence School which generally helped people to learn a new language. Your carriage should have a little phrase repeater button to help the student repeat a small portion of the cylinder. The ICS records turn at a slower speed so the speed control comes up through the deck to make it convenient to change the speed of the playback. The C series of machines came from the factory as two minute players but some have the additional gearing added to play four minute cylinders as well. If possible please post a few photos of your machine and we can provide more information.

Jerry Blais

Where did you find the "Model C" designation?

If it's on the ID plate, then it's a model C machine; if it's on the reproducer, that just means it's a C reproducer. Also, does it have an end gate? If so, it's not a Model C.

-Bill

Hi, thanks for the reply. I picked it up tonight and it is still boxed in the back of the car. It says Model c on the patent plate. It does not have an endgate. I am fairly sure it is an ics machine. Here are a couple of photos.

Have i got what i think i have? The previous own had it for forty years.

Thanks, you do indeed in an Edison Standard, Model C. It's a two minute only player just as it came from the factory so you can play any two minute cylinder. It has the I.C.S. phrase repeater carriage for use when learning a new language. Usually I.C.S. machines have a small celluloid tag attached in the front center of the cabinet near the base. Do you have small nail holes in that area? I hope this helps you.

Jerry Blais

Very good! Model C machines are not all that common.

The letter designation is called the ‘iteration’, indicating the specific variant of the greater model: ‘Standard’.

Yes thee are two nail holes where the ICS plaque would once have been. Anyone have a pdf copy of any handbooks or manuals for one of these. Is it still possible to convert to 4 minute and is it worth doing?

Hi Andrew,

You may want to check out this previous thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41709 .

Bob

I think Gregg Cline sells the little ICS decal. If a person didn't have the celluloid piece is there a good replacement? JerryB.