The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I’ve never been a fan if the square cases phonograph but they’re growing on me. There is one on eBay right now but I thought they all didn’t have the banner markings in the case and that all cases were blank. Is this the case? Or do you all think it was added more recently? I kind of like the look without the banner anyhow. What era were these cases? Thanks for the assistance?

KCW wrote:I’ve never been a fan if the square cases phonograph but they’re growing on me. There is one on eBay right now but I thought they all didn’t have the banner markings in the case and that all cases were blank. Is this the case? Or do you all think it was added more recently? I kind of like the look without the banner anyhow. What era were these cases? Thanks for the assistance?

By “square case phonograph” you mean the earlier suitcase models from 1896-1901? Sometimes people will put the wrong decals during the machines life, I’ve seen Edison model D and later machines with the banner decal instead of the script decal. Probably added during the 1980s or so when information on machines were more scarce.

If this is the one you're talking about, no that decal doesn't belong on it. The "Suitcase" Standard model A Phonograph had no decals on the case ever.

The Antique Phonograph Society has a great introductory article on their website, that will explain a lot on the different iterations of the Edison Standard Phonograph - here: https://www.antiquephono.org/spotters-g ... honograph/

Best,
Fran

That’s the one! I thought the decal looked out of place. Thanks for the heads up!

It's worth pointing out that in addition to two inappropriate replica decals on the machine, the entire mechanism is from a much later Standard and is not correct for an early 'suitcase' Standard case. It also appears to be missing the on/off switch, in addition to lacking a crank.

Square case phonographs are great machines. Get one you will enjoy it. The one pictured was removed from the auction so I could not see what it was like. It was incorrect with that decal on it so it probably improperly fixed and you were good to check it out. I really like the home four clip or square cases with the banner on the lid . They probably run the same and parts are easily procured. Tom

tomb wrote:Square case phonographs are great machines. Get one you will enjoy it. The one pictured was removed from the auction so I could not see what it was like. It was incorrect with that decal on it so it probably improperly fixed and you were good to check it out. I really like the home four clip or square cases with the banner on the lid . They probably run the same and parts are easily procured. Tom

It's still visible for me. Pics for posterity:

The sellers description:

"Antique patd 1888 Edison Oak Case Cylinder Record Player Phonograph WORKING

Ships free, safe and fast.

Came from an estate liquidation auction which included the estate owner's Edison music players collection. When we got this home it was still cranked up but came to us with no crank! We hooked up a spare horn and cylinder record to it and it played well and quiet. You will need a crank and a horn to complete this set up.

"Edison Standard Phonograph"
Thomas A. Edison, et als, at Orange, New Jersey, U.S.A.
First Patent Date: May 6 1988, last pat'd date Nov 17 1903.
Serial Number: S 219105

9 ¼" tall x 12 ¼" wide x 8 ¾" deep."

Edison made less than 50000 2/4 clip phonographs. They also had a chrome ID tag and the serial number on a embossed raised area on the back of the phonograph. The s/n was also embossed on the knife edge. I believe the last patent date on the ID plate was 1898. Last ones produced were 1901 or 1902. That s/n 219105 was made in 1905 aprox. Someone has fitted a later model standard motor and top plate to the a earlier four clip case. This is not correct. This would not be a good buy and could be considered a crap o phone. Tom