The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey everyone,

I'm in the process of cleaning up my first Edison phonograph that I picked up awhile back (serial #S266244). The gentleman I bought it from didn't know much about it but from reading through the resources here, my best guess is that it's a Standard Model C from ~1904 with the 4 minute upgrade kit. I've read that re-casing a machine was sometimes done and it's apparent that at some point someone worked on both the case (some small nails and gluing) and re-painted the body of the machine (no remaining decals unfortunately). The case has the mounting points for the horn crane that later models have and has extra holes present for the base plate (machine only needs 3 but there are 5 present.

Mainly I'm trying to figure out the following:
- Does my model/year guess seem accurate?
- Is the case original to the machine?
- Is the white infill material on the bottom of the case supposed to be there? Most of it is falling off and deteriorated.
- What would the correct decals/trim be for this version of the standard? (There is a faint simple "Edison" logo present on the front but nothing else left unfortunately. I'm thinking it should have the more basic version of the gold trim)
- Is the brass color on the mandrel just a sign of the nickel plating worn off?

Your machine is an Edison Standard Model B. According to original Edison sales data, #266244 left the factory in January 1906. Your Model B has been equipped with a 2/4-minute attachment which became available in October 1908. In order to play 2-minute records, you already have a Model C Reproducer. (The models of Reproducer have no correlation to the machine models.) For 4-minute cylinders, a Model H Reproducer would be appropriate. There are other Edison reproducers which will play 2- and 4-minute cylinders, but the Model C and Model H are the most common.

Your machine's original cabinet has been replaced with a later style Standard cabinet that appeared with the Model D Standards in late 1908. Your machine's original cabinet had a large banner decal lettered "EDISON STANDARD PHONOGRAPH."

The white wood filer is not original to the cabinet.

The brass on your machine's mandrel is indeed simply where the nickel plating has flaked off.

One of the free articles on the Antique Phonograph Society's website will be of interest to you:

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/79

In addition, this one will explain the basics of cylinder records and which Reproducers play them:

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/16

You have a solid machine there, which unfortunately has been "fixed up" by an unskilled and uninformed individual. If you want to bring your Standard back to its original glory, it's easily done.

George P.

I really appreciate the detailed reply, thank you! I do hope to bring it back to its former glory one day. Really interesting about the case replacement, that had me stumped.

You're very welcome.

These talking machines have suffered all sorts of depredations over the years. Luckily, there's nothing on an Edison Standard B that can't be found and/or replaced.

George P.