The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is a very rare Edison cylinder shipping container. I found it about 40 years ago in a phonograph and bicycle shop in Baltimore. The shop closed up for decades and the owners let me in to buy what I wanted. It looked like someone had just closed and locked the door and never came back. There were loads of partial machines and parts (many with original dealer tags with part numbers). There were also loads of bicycle parts. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. There were two of these shipping containers with the locks off but they were still full of unopened cylinders. I'm including some pictures of some of the cylinders. As you can see they still have their original wrapping. It is interesting that the record slips were glued to the outside of the boxes. Also, some of the boxes had small hooks attached so they could be hung for display. You can see the imprint on the wood shelves where the cylinders sat for so many years. I'm including some of these cylinders with the case. The case is set up like a clam shell. The two sides hinge together and when full of cylinders, the cylinders hold themselves in place. The case had a padlovk on the hasp so that it could not be opened in transit.

The halves are perfect to hang on a wall to display cylinders. I have attached a picture of the one I previously sold so you can see what it looks like on a wall with cylinders.

This is a truly unique item. It also shows that dealers could have their shipments customized. Ie, putting the record slip on the outside and having display hooks attached to the cylinders. I live near Annapolis Maryland. Easy access for anyone going to Wayne from the South.

These are mainly for pickup but if you want to have a shipping company come get them for packing and shipping, I will work with them. I will not pack them.

I am asking $400 for the pair or best offer.

Ken Danckaert

I remember when you had one of these cases, along with the new-old-stock cylinders, at the Bound Brook show sometime in the late 1990s. I still have one of the cylinders I got from you at the time. A friend bought several, as well as the other shipping case. He mounted it to a wall and uses it to display some of his collection. It's fun to reminded of those times.

Location?

I am in Maryland near Annapolis.
Ken

I would love to see a picture of it if you have one. That is how I always wanted to use it.

Ken

TinfoilPhono wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 11:34 am I remember when you had one of these cases, along with the new-old-stock cylinders, at the Bound Brook show sometime in the late 1990s. I still have one of the cylinders I got from you at the time. A friend bought several, as well as the other shipping case. He mounted it to a wall and uses it to display some of his collection. It's fun to reminded of those times.

This is the only picture I can find in my files. The case was just part of the background for the machine, but it does give an idea of how imposing it looked when filled with records.

Nice!!!! Thanks for sharing the photo.

Bump.
Ken