The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Yesterday I brought home my first Edison, it is a C200 Diamond Disc. I want to thank everybody for their comments and suggestions on how to get it home safely. The elderly lady gave me the back story on the machine. She said it was her grandmother's phonograph purchased new in Seattle Washington. She was a music teacher and loved all musical arts. It had been past down to her mother and then to her. I ask her why she was wanting to get rid of it and she said her daughter didn't want it and her husband and her needed to downsize at this time in her life. So sad that a 100 year old family heirloom like this is not wanted by the next generation but fortunate for me.
The machine is in excellent condition for original. The finish has light oxidation and will clean up beautifully I think. It still has all 4 casters that are not broken and still roll. It has a tan silk horn cloth that is a replacement I think because it is thumbtacked on the inside.

Exceptionally nice oak wood for an Edison cabinet... Has it been refinished?

Too bad that family history is not cherished as it was in the past. I would love to have a machine that was originally bought by an ancestor of mine...

It is in working order and also came with a lateral reproducer. The Felt looks original with only a couple of stains. I was wondering if the gold lettering and pinstripes where gold leaf or just paint? Also the tonearm I know is brass but is it gold plated also?

Thanks Curl A, No it is the original finish based on the crazing. Just well taken care of.

Here is the serial plate. and it also still has the patent label inside the horn chamber and the original reproducer crate. It has a large 573 stamped under the horn.

The horn and volume controls are intact, just a little dusty with age.

I don't know if the key is original but works fine.

The reason I asked about being refinished, is that the finish is in amazing condition. It certainly was well taken care of by people who cared about it... I guess it's good you got it instead of the lady's unappreciative daughter...

The key looks original too... the gold lettering is a decal. That is like a time machine...

WOW! Does this qualify as a time capsule machine, because that is how the photos make it look! The pin-striping and decals on the motor board looks outstanding!
Very good job saving this machine!

Some of the perks of the purchase. The machine came with 62 records which were the original owners collect. 21 Edison DD records, 41 lateral disc's which are 18 Victor, 7 Brunswick, 4 Columbia, 3 Silvertone and 9 other various labels. Came with a Victor Half Tone needle tin and a old record cleaner. Curiously the envelop for the cleaner says to clean it with gasoline. This project should keep me busy for the next few months on it cleaning and restoration.