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Dear all,

I have encountered on the internet an Edison spring motor phonograph for sale. It is in very bad conditions but what I was interested in, is the combination of the two plates.

I have uploaded some pictures.

The first plate reports the many patents, with the last one dating on may 31 1898 (or 1899, not sure).

The second plate reports "This machine is sold by the NORTH AMERICAN PHONOGRAPH COMPANY [..]".

The serial number is 9193.

I have two questions:

1)why there is not the (more common?) label "Edison spring motor for phonograph"?

2)more interesting: as far as I know, the North American Phonograph Company was dissolved at the end of 1894 (refer to Tim Fabrizio website: http://www.phonophan.com/edisonspringmotor.html). So, if this is true, why the other plate reports patent up to 1898? Isn't it a strange combination?

Thank you very much
Alessandro

The upper works of this machine were originally mounted on a Class M Phonograph. For many years, owners of these electrically-operated Class M Phonographs could purchase the Edison Triton Motor (for $25.00 U.S.) to convert their Phonograph to spring-driven operation. This is apparently what is shown in the pictures. It's a perfectly legitimate conversion.

What does not appear to be quite right is the condition of the cabinet, which is unusually short and missing the upper portion of the drawer.

George P.

Thank you George!

What is still not clear to me (or maybe I misunderstood) is if its "admitted" that the two patent plates exist together or it is the result of a later addition or tampering??

Also I could not see the shortest cabinet.. for sure it appears also to me that the drawer has different size from what can be commonly found on the web.

Thank you again

Sorry I wasn't clear in my earlier post. Here's what may have brought about this particular example:

1) Someone bought an Edison Class M Phonograph once they became available for sale in 1892.

2) After at least 6 years of use, the owner became dissatisfied with the clumsy batter-operated motor of his Class M, and bought an Edison Triton spring motor in the cabinet. This was only a motor and cabinet. He removed the playing mechanism from his Class M and attached it to the Triton motor and cabinet, thus creating an Edison "Spring Motor" Phonograph.

Hope this helps,
George

Wow.. now I understand. I didn't thought this was possible. This perfectly explains the timing mismatch between the patent plates!

Thank you!

You're very welcome!

George P.