The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is an Edison Model B1 Amberola. The serial number 4590 is stamped on the chassis. The serial number plate at the inside back of the cabinet is also 4590. This phonograph is in good running condition with a Diamond A reproducer. The pinstriping and paint is nearly 100%. The overall condition of the cabinet is good. The top of the lid is faded, and the finish is thin. The door to the record storage is missing the keyhole escutcheon. All the metal record holders are intact. I can deliver this Amberola the Stanton auction this month.

Interesting machine! Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the serial numbers from the 1-A to the 1-B was a continuation. I also believe the Amberola 1-B was the company's last real attempt at the "high class" cylinder machine market. But notice your cabinet resembles the early 1-A cabinet with the single swoop lid. Edison sourced cabinets from an outside vendor and the initial shipment of cabinets did not meet the quality desired for an expensive machine and they were rejected. To quickly get the machine out to the public the Edison Company used the earlier style cabinet as a stopgap. It seems like a poor business decision to introduce a new model with a somewhat obsolete style cabinet but that's what happened.

Jerry B.

There was a significant amount of damage in transit of the initial Amberola IA cabinets, which Edison was forced to repair at West Orange. This took some time, and meanwhile other cabinet manufacturers had been contracted to provide cabinets - both of the Weber design (like this one) and the slightly later Pooley design. To find an Amberola IB in an early Weber cabinet is pretty unusual. It suggests that the cabinet had needed repair and by the time it was finished, the IBs were in production.

George P.

Thanks George, are you able to estimate the approximate serial number that separates the A and B types?

Thanks, Jerry B.