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Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:01 pm
by gunnarthefeisty
I've seen a few Edison C250s/C19s as well as smaller models with some sort of black finish on the frieze just under the lid. Is this simply dirt, or an actual finish that was put on?
Thanks,
Gunnar

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 8:22 pm
by Jerry B.
You might try some non-pumice GoJo or Goop for a gentle cleaning cleaning with a cloth or carefully with 0000 steel wool. I think the best advice is to start gentle.

Jerry B.

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 10:51 pm
by gunnarthefeisty
Jerry B. wrote: Thu Dec 16, 2021 8:22 pm You might try some non-pumice GoJo or Goop for a gentle cleaning cleaning with a cloth or carefully with 0000 steel wool. I think the best advice is to start gentle.

Jerry B.
I don't have one, was just curious if the C19s were meant to have any sort of coloration there, or if it's just meant to be wood.

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 7:46 am
by Jerry B.
The trim under the lid should match the rest of the finish.

Jerry B.

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:57 am
by JohnM
He didn’t believe me, I guess!

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 4:46 pm
by Silvertone
On one original example that I owned and others that I have seen, the background of the frieze was finished black to give the illusion that the frieze was open and that you were looking through it.

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:44 pm
by JeffR1
When I stripped & restored mine, it was black paint there, not dirt.

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 6:57 pm
by gunnarthefeisty
JeffR1 wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:44 pm When I stripped & restored mine, it was black paint there, not dirt.
That's what I suspected. I'm going to buy one in a few days, and so I should be able to confirm this theory.

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 10:59 pm
by JeffR1
gunnarthefeisty wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 6:57 pm
JeffR1 wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:44 pm When I stripped & restored mine, it was black paint there, not dirt.
That's what I suspected. I'm going to buy one in a few days, and so I should be able to confirm this theory.
Here is what I know about them, the C250 was before the first world war and has drawers, the C19 has no drawers and they have been replaced by record slots after the war.
I got that info from this book.

https://www.amazon.ca/Edison-Disc-Phono ... 0950546259

Re: Black stuff on C250 frieze

Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:34 am
by phonogfp
JeffR1 wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 10:59 pm
Here is what I know about them, the C250 was before the first world war and has drawers, the C19 has no drawers and they have been replaced by record slots after the war.
I got that info from this book.

https://www.amazon.ca/Edison-Disc-Phono ... 0950546259
There's much more information - and more accurate information - in a series of articles by Fran Pratt that appeared in the APS magazine from December 2015 - September 2016. Fran also developed this database, which is posted as one of the free online articles on the APS website:

https://www.antiquephono.org/edison-c-2 ... -1925-pdf/

George P.