The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

hi, guys

Wanting to look into what I have here. I just inherited this from my grandfather that just passed and would like to learn what it is and if it is worth anything other than sentimental value. Looks like a model h- 4 minute at least to the untrained eye.

Is it painted blue? I’ve heard of blue cygnet horns but not blue bed plates?

David

Home Model B with repainted upper works. The "Model H" refers to the reproducer, not the phonograph itself.

- Bill

I'd like to see photos of the whole outfit before giving much of an opinion. With that said, an Edison Home was a very popular choice for cylinder machine buyers. Because of that it is commonly found today. I once saw an order for two hundred Edison cylinder machines. Of the two hundred, one hundred ninety were Edison Standards and Homes. The remaining ten machines were split between the Gem and Triumph models. I suspect Gramps painted it blue. The H reproducer is a clue that your machine probably a two and four minute cylinder player.

I have a two and four minute Edison Home ready to go to the next sale. My asking price with a reproduction 14" horn will be $350. It's a good all original machine ready to be enjoyed. That should give you some idea on value. The type of horn you possess could make quite a difference in value.

I have a basement full of talking machines and not one is a family piece. If I had any object related to our hobby it would be a treasured piece. Your Edison Home could be serviced and provide you and your family a great deal of enjoyment. Any brown wax cylinders you possess may have recordings of family members. If I had my grandfather's Edison Home I would put it in good order and enjoy it. If Gramps painted it blue that's the way it would stay.

Respectfully, Jerry Blais

Thank you all very much for your responses. Here is a picture of the whole unit so you guys will have a better idea of identifying it.

Looks like it’s been refinished. If your grandfather painted the upper works blue then I agree with Jerry, leave it be. Also it’s a 2/4 minute Edison home!

Also correct me if I’m wrong. But it seems like the casting (the upper works) was repainted and then a new Edison script decal was applied?

David

dzavracky wrote:Looks like it’s been refinished. If your grandfather painted the upper works blue then I agree with Jerry, leave it be. Also it’s a 2/4 minute Edison home!

Also correct me if I’m wrong. But it seems like the casting (the upper works) was repainted and then a new Edison script decal was applied?

David

I'll add that it's an Edison Home Model B. And yes, the case looks to have been striped with the original decal intact.

If you want to get an idea of value go to Ebay.

1- To the right of the "search" button is "advanced search." Click on advanced search.
2- Type in "Edison Home."
3- Click on "completed listing" or "sold." and hit "search."
4- You'll get many Edison Home related items but you can sort these items several ways. I'd suggest "highest prices first."

The highest prices may be for a machine with unusual features or something in pristine condition. If you continue to scroll down you will see machines similar to yours and they are around the $300 mark. I hope this helps.

Jerry Blais

Hi,

I'm going to guess that some of what has come out here, while common parlance to us collectors, is more or less Greek to you, a newcomer. In hopes that they will help, let me link a couple of "introduction to cylinder players" articles I've written that may help explain the lingo and that set forth some basic information about cylinders and how to play them.

https://www.tnt-audio.com/vintage/ediso ... rs1_e.html

https://www.tnt-audio.com/vintage/ediso ... rs2_e.html

[edit] Your machine is of the sort retrofitted with gearing for four minute cylinders, the sort playable with your reproducer. The gear shift is by the drive belt; it's the smaller disk to the right of the pulley. Pushing it into the pulley gives you gearing for one type, pulling it out from the pulley gives you gearing for the other. For now, if you're set up for 4 minute cylinders, I would leave it be. Oh, and I agree with others before: if it's a machine that came down through the family, I would never part with it and would not mess with what your forebears did to refinish/redecorate it.

Thank you all, you have been most helpful shedding light on what I have. I will find a spot for this to be displayed in my home. Thank you all again!