The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently acquired a Ford cylinder (Ford Motor Band) on EBay. These are basically blue amberol private pressings Edison did for Ford’s private collection (1915 grouping). I was not able to get a good look at the cylinder on the listing. I was surprised to see a red plastic sleeve inserted on the inside. The sleeve is stuck in the plaster (which may or may not be original) such that if I try to remove it most of the plaster may also come off. This sleeve sticks on the mandrel so I can only play perhaps 20 seconds. I have two questions. The first: could there be a purpose for someone doing this other than perhaps the world’s worst restoration attempt? Also, is there any easy way to play the rest of the cylinder?

The red liner definitely needs to go... Probably done to repair(?) missing plaster. If removing it causes the plaster to come out, you can repair it - see other threads dealing with this issue. If it remains round after removal, you can still play it without plaster - think Lambert celluloid cylinders (no plaster). I have played many with missing plaster and the only problem is if it is deformed without the plaster which causes a tracking problem...

The small amount of "plaster" visible looks like decorator's filler to me.