The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

What is it? I was looking at an advertisement showing machines Edison sold an upgrade for to allow you to play Blue Amberols- one machine that looks like an M with no crank called a "Balmoral" is shown- I've never heard anything about it- what is it?

Well they were Edison Class M phonographs run with electricity supplied by a battery (and not a wind up spring motor) that they began calling the Balmoral around 1906.

As sold in 1907.

Shawn

Ah I see. Why produce them that late though?

m_nakamura wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:45 am Ah I see. Why produce them that late though?

I wondered the same thing.

Perhaps the Marketing Department perspective was what's not to love about selling the phonograph, and the cylinders, and oh by the way our Edison Batteries and the chemicals to support them?

Here is a page from a 1910 dealer catalog. Note, you could even get a 2/4 (combination) Balmoral with a cygnet horn. Edison kept available stock for sale a long time, rarely remaindering it or selling it at a discount. The one exception noted is the Amberola IV. Those were eventually sanctioned by Edison to sell at whatever they would bring as obsolete phonographs.

Shawn

When you look at the numbers it's amazing they made any money considering how well made everything was. Years ago I saw on display at the Henry Ford Museum, a Gold Plated 5" Class M in a walnut case with a special presentation tag on it. If I recall correctly it was dated 1910

JerryVan wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 6:40 am

m_nakamura wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:45 am Ah I see. Why produce them that late though?

I wondered the same thing.

Some people just hate winding up phonographs. Laugh if you want, but it's true! Why else would they have invented all those electric automatic winding devices?