The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone know if the Edison Schoolhouse model came with a lid? Was the horn 10 or 11 panel? Did the horn decal say anything different? Thanks, Ken

Ken,

The Edison School never had a lid. However, it always sat on a stand because when sitting on a table, the crank extends below the base. It cannot be cranked sitting on a table. The stand held cardboard boxes that would hold cylinders. It also had a pullout tray to hold one of the cardboard boxes.

The horn has been seen in both 10 and 11 panels versions. The ones that I saw had the holes from the hanger factory plugged, and a standard Cygnet decal that went over the plugged holes on the outside. I've heard of other variations (possibly without holes).

Shawn

This kind of look similar to the Opera and Idelia... With that big cygnet horn it must sound incredible!

Shawn,
Thanks for the information. I have only seen one of these years ago at the Larry Schlick auction. It had the stand. I should have paid more attention to it at the auction but was focused on other treasures.
Ken

Ken, it's called the Edison "School", never the Schoolhouse. George Frow's book, the Edison Cylinder Companion, confirms what Shawn said about the stand, with pullout metal bracket for holding a box of cylinders, and also that it had either 11 or 10 panel horns. Specifically the book says that they started out with the 11 panel, and when the 10 panel was released, Edison started supplying it with the School. By the way, I have a School with a repro stand. Mine has an 11 panel horn, but Rene Rondeau told me that its former owner (Dave Heitz) at one time had a 10 panel horn on it. Rene made a list of all known Schools, so he recognized mine by its serial number.

Jim Nichol

Jim,
Thanks for the correction. I learn something new every day.
Ken

JimN wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2024 4:10 am By the way, I have a School with a repro stand.

Jim Nichol

Jim, is there any difference with respect to the machine itself between the School and the Opera? From the photos it looks like an Opera machine fitted in a different case and horn.

I have an original flyer / brochure for the school opera. This brochure and other original Edison catalogues were bound into a small book in the late 80,s. A later catalogue makes reference to the colour horns that were available here in Australia at that time. I bought my school off a collector a number of years back. I first saw it a long time ago. Asked if you ever want to sell it to please keep me in mind. A gentle reminder every now and then. About 14 years later my time had arrived. Shows collecting is also a game of patience.
Missing the stand but have three of the cylinder boxes.

CarlosV wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2024 4:38 pm

JimN wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2024 4:10 am By the way, I have a School with a repro stand.

Jim Nichol

Jim, is there any difference with respect to the machine itself between the School and the Opera? From the photos it looks like an Opera machine fitted in a different case and horn.

It is indeed an ‘Opera’ mech in a sheet-iron case, painted black.

JohnM wrote: Sat Aug 24, 2024 6:57 am
It is indeed an ‘Opera’ mech in a sheet-iron case, painted black.

Thanks, John!