The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all
Just found this Standard machine which needs a bit of loving care to bring it back to playing again. It is numbered S336012. It has a model 'c' reproducer and came with mouldy (unplayable) 2 minute cylinders. It has a banner decal on the front. Can someone please tell me which model it is and approximate date leaving factory.
Thanks Brian

That’s a Standard B, I don’t have the date it left the factory but I’m sure someone will chime in soon with that information

As Alex noted, it's a Standard Model B, and according to Edison sales data, it left the factory in August 1906. It must be one of the last Standard Bs to carry a banner decal.

George P.

It looks like an excellent candidate for restoration since everything it appears to be complete. Does it run and do you have the crank and lid? Have fun with it.

Jim

Machines like this I call rust buckets. Ha ha I do not have the ability to do that much restoration but know others can and do. I have enough work on machines way less rusty and spend many hours on those. Good luck. It is nifty that these can be saved. Neil

I do not know if the ID tag has aged or it is the lighting on it but it seems to be an unusual brown color. I do not see to many like that. A late standard B would be a nice project to restore. Tom

I've seen a few data plates that have tarnished in the same way.
If it were mine, I'd probably do nothing more to it than clean it with mild soapy water. I've seen people polish them with brasso etc to make them bright and shiny, but in my eyes that makes them look terrible.
You could try and repaint the background black, but it's not easy to do successfully. I've always felt the brown tarnished look makes a good contrast anyway, it looks good with the cabinetry, and has taken over 100 yrs to look that way, and once it's gone, you'll have to wait another 100 yrs to get that same look back again.

Could we see a photo of the decal side of the cabinet?

Thanks, Jerry B.

Thanks for all your help regarding the phonograph. Can’t wait to hear a cylinder playing. Checked all 25 today and found 2 clean (un-mouldy) cylinders.
Hi Jerry
As requested a photo of the decal on the front of case, before cleaning. The decal seems very ‘orange’ compared to others I have seen.
Zapper

I'm glad to see such a nice banner decal. If it were mine, I would clean and wax the cabinet. With the metal deck I might be tempted to repaint and re-stripe it. That part is a personal decision and there is no wrong decision.

Jerry Blais