The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I need one of these celluloid tags that were used on the Edison ICS machines. If you also have the original nails for it, that's a plus.

Thanks - Mike

I overheard a conversation and someone suggested buying an ivory piano key and then purchasing a decal from Gregg Cline. Anyone have suggestions for cutting the ivory for size and drilling the little holes?

Jerry B.

Ivory piano keys have a different look & feel--but some early piano keys are also celluloid which would be even more appropriate.

One should be able to buy celluloid sheets new. Maybe something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-71mm-Cellulo ... SwCYxc51DH

And perhaps it would be possible to print directly on the surface of the celluloid. I may give it a try.

Mike

I have made convincing "celluloid" tags by printing the image on off-white, slightly yellowed paper and laminating it. Cut it to size and they look like real celluloid.

These three REGINA tags were made with this method.
As for the nails, small brass brads aged with liquid gun bluing work great...

VanEpsFan1914 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:35 pm Ivory piano keys have a different look & feel--but some early piano keys are also celluloid which would be even more appropriate.

Many reed organ keys were often surfaced with celluloid as well.

- Bill

I just realized that I posted a picture of an ITC tag, not an ICS tag. That ITC tag if from my Standard Model A. I assume that my Model C originally had an ICS tag, but I suppose that will never know for sure.

I have this tag. You are welcome to it if you still need it. I also have the ITS tag.
Regards,
Blain

You are very generous Blain.

Jerry B.

Canuk Phonographs wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:45 pm I have this tag. You are welcome to it if you still need it. I also have the ITS tag.
Regards,
Blain

Note that Blain's generous offer involves a tag marked "Thomas A. Edison Inc." That dates the tag to no earlier than March 1911.

George P.