Early C-250 on CL

[JohnM]

Does anyone know at what number Edison began numbering the C-250 series Disc Phonographs? I found this example with an early data plate on St. Louis Craigslist. It is serial number 68023 and appears to have nickel plated hardware(?) -- the hinges and lid support appear gold in one photo, but nickel in the other. The reproducer and horn throat appear nickel in both (at least on my phone). If numbering started at 68000, this may be the 23rd C-250 produced(?). Any thoughts or opinions?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/atq/2068721502.html

[Edisone]

Those pictures are so bad that I cannot tell whether gold or nickel are being shown.

Is a low serial number something meaningful ?

[JohnM]

Low serial number examples may be different than subsequent examples; also, very low serial number (or very high serial number) examples are interesting intrinsically when the model in question was produced in significant quantities (i.e., Edison 'Standard' s/n 3 as a low example). IOW, some brave consumer bought the third example of that machine ever produced based upon ??? Whether the significance of a low or high serial number is perceived or real, I consider it to be an important factor when indeed it is a factor. The C-250 on CL may be significant for either reason if indeed it is that early.

[Edisone]

What changes were made in the early C models which might make this of interest?

[JohnM]

Don't know . . . that's why this is interesting to me. Nickel rather than gold plating?

[gramophoneshane]

I think the photo in which the plating appears to be nickel, is due to lighting or poor photo quality because the Edison decal appears silver in the same pic.

[Valecnik]

I've never seen a C250 with anything other than gold wash interior. if it is indeed nickel, I'd strongly suspect the works got changed out at some point.

[phonogfp]

I must agree that the poor quality photos are probably masking what is gold plate. Since the C-250 replaced the A/B-250 which were always supplied with gold-plated hardware, it would have been inconsistent to downgrade the finish (although Edison did stranger things...!). As for the serial number, I don't know if the C-250 numbers picked up from the B-250 or started from 0. I don't believe any of the DD machines were numbered in blocks.

George P.

[JohnM]

I must agree that the poor quality photos are probably masking what is gold plate. Since the C-250 replaced the A/B-250 which were always supplied with gold-plated hardware, it would have been inconsistent to downgrade the finish (although Edison did stranger things...!). As for the serial number, I don't know if the C-250 numbers picked up from the B-250 or started from 0. I don't believe any of the DD machines were numbered in blocks.

George P.

Since I'm the guy who found Amberola I-A s/n 2 and have seen another I-A with a factory blue bed plate, I'm just paranoid! Don't forget, I believe in the existence of 'Operolas'.

I'm still curious as to the numbering of C-250s. That most certainly is the early-style data plate. Did they produce approximately 60000-68000 A- & B-250s? Hmmm . . . .

[Valecnik]

It would be interesting to know more about the A, B, C250 SN methodology.

I have;

- a very early A300, one of the first 25 made, in an Amberola 1A cabinet SN2503
- an early A250, no volume control ever installed, individual wooden storage slats, SN4165
- a very late A250 with the C250 type cardboard filing filing system for 100 discs, SN 12887
- a C19 with SN87112

I've speculated that the A300 could have been numbered in the same sequence as A250s or that they started out numbering them at 2500 and this was the third one but have know way of knowing that.

Based on the fact that they seemed to produce 10 or 12 thousand each of these early models A250s ending at around 13,000 would be reasonable. If B250s were another 12 or 13 thousand, numbered sequentially that would only get the highest SN up to about 30,000.

Can anyone confirm or prove me wrong?