The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have the opportunity to purchase this Edison portable. I haven't yet seen the machine but from these photos that were sent to me, it seems that it might be a good parts machine. Because of all that's missing, I can't imagine that it would be worth restoring.

I'm primarily a record collector and although I've owned a few machines over the years, I have limited knowledge of them and their values. I'm looking for advice on what this might be worth if the motor is good.

These things literally are rebadged "Prime" portables of the late 1920s. You can put a good tone arm and reproducer on, locate a crank, and redo the turntable felt. Once I get home I'll check the Fabrizio & Paul book and see if I can find the ads for the P-1 and P-2 Needle Type Portables. I hope your seller can post photos of the outside as it may be somewhat bashed about.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 2:24 pm These things literally are rebadged "Prime" portables of the late 1920s. You can put a good tone arm and reproducer on, locate a crank, and redo the turntable felt. Once I get home I'll check the Fabrizio & Paul book and see if I can find the ads for the P-1 and P-2 Needle Type Portables. I hope your seller can post photos of the outside as it may be somewhat bashed about.

Thanks very much. I'll be looking at it a little later on today. The seller is bringing it to a meeting place in my neighborhood.

If it's just a parts machine, I'll offer accordingly.

I made the purchase today and will spend some time with it tomorrow. It will most likely be for sale as is, maybe after some clean up.

That's still cool. I hope you get some good photos soon; it's going to be great to see it up close. Still looking for my books to try identifying it./

I never paid much attention to portables but I really like the artistic design of this one, especially the emblem.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 10:18 am That's still cool. I hope you get some good photos soon; it's going to be great to see it up close. Still looking for my books to try identifying it./

Thank you. I did see one video showcasing this model. But the owner referred to it as a NTP, which is probably not a model name but an abbreviation for Needle-Type Portable.

EdisonA450_Wish1 wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 11:39 am I never paid much attention to portables but I really like the artistic design of this one, especially the emblem.

I see what you mean. It screams "1920s class". For a short while yesterday I considered keeping it. But my head won out over my heart. I purchased it for resale so that's what I'll be following through with.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 2:24 pm These things literally are rebadged "Prime" portables of the late 1920s. You can put a good tone arm and reproducer on, locate a crank, and redo the turntable felt. Once I get home I'll check the Fabrizio & Paul book and see if I can find the ads for the P-1 and P-2 Needle Type Portables. I hope your seller can post photos of the outside as it may be somewhat bashed about.

If memory serves, the reproducer is Edison branded though.

Thanks, Georg.