The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Is THIS one real?

EDISON COIN-SLOT PHONOGRPH ALVA OR ACME
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/clt/1009402644.html

phonophan79 wrote:Is THIS one real?

Perhaps one of our U.K. members might be interested in checking it out—after the last machine, I wonder...

— MordEth

[hr][/hr]

EDISON COIN-SLOT PHONOGRPH ALVA OR ACME CIRCA 1907 — £2200 (London)

Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2009-01-27, 12:01PM GMT

After much reading and consulting this is what we came up with — George L. Frow’s Edison Cylinder Phonograph Companion was our main reference. Other Edison books were also used in trying to determine if it was an ACME or ALVA.

Eclipse was ruled out — as it is only a DC motor. Motors made by Emerson.

ACME could be maybe — but it has only an AC motor. Motors made by Emerson.

Alva could be — as it is an DC/AC motor. Frequently some of these motors were made by Emerson or Burke. The motor shell was aluminium with the normal friction governor on the extended motor shaft. This one has all of this.

The ACME and Alva were Triumphs with B reproducers. Both had the same cabinet, quartered oak antique finish, square top fitted with bevel glass and bevelled French plate glass mirror as interior backing. The cabinet corner pillars are rounded indicating 1906 and later. My cabinet case is original, with original finish. The show card is original. The sign holder is an exact copy of the original.

The ACME was phased out after 1907 and replaced by the Alva. The Alva was introduced mid to late 1907. The Edison signature style on this machine was used up to and through out 1907. The newer signature style was started in 1907 and used there after.

The machine I have is DC/AC if you look at the pictures of the motor you will see to the right and up at about two o'clock a round piece. On it you see DC with an arrow above it pointing counter clockwise, a black open box, then an arrow above the box pointing clockwise, then AC. In the middle of the round piece is a screw. When I turned the screw clockwise inside the box turned to AC and when I turned the screw counter clockwise inside the box turned to DC.The motor shell is aluminium. On the motor states as you can see Ekonowatt 110 volts made by Thomas A Edison Inc. Orange NJ USA.Most of the coin mechanism is original but some of the electrical switch & wires have been upgraded. All of the phonograph parts are original. It is activated by a one-cent coin. The Alva came with rubber hearing tubes with ear cups, there was no horn I bought a horn later. I do not have the crane or elbow for the horn, now I know why I don't have them. The dimensions are: Height 72" with sign board, without 46" base is 27" x 17". Weight is about 150 pounds.

I believe this is an Alva from the information I have found but I am not an expert and most of you out there are far more knowledgeable so I have given you all the information that I have found. If there is something more that I do not know or see or have miss interpreted please email me and tell me or why you think it is an Alva or ACME.

I realize there is a large difference in price and to be safe I have placed the reserve for the Alva which I have been told is more expensive. If it is an ACME I will make an adjustment in price to the top bidder. I do not wish anyone to feel they overpaid nor I lose money by under pricing.

• Location: London
• It’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests.

Craigslist PostingID: 1009402644

It's astounding, given the claim that the Frow book was consulted, that this seller could remain so ignorant of the difference between an "Alva" and an "Acme!"

George P.

Well, I stand corrected! I was just thumbing through Frow's ECPC, and thought about this Craigslist posting. Sure enough - according to Frow, there was indeed an "Alva" coin-slot Phonograph. I'd never heard of it. I've seen a few of the Triumph-based Alvas, and I'm surprised that Edison would have been marketing two entirely different Phonographs concurrently by the same name (although I probably shouldn't be!). The two different "Concerts" were at least not of the same period. Well, it's always fun to learn something!

Can anyone post a catalog or other illustration showing a coin-operated Edison Phonograph marketed as the "Alva?" I'd be grateful for confirmation of the beast... Thanks - -

George P.

I've have a copy of this picture with the listening tubes arranged exactly the same in my "Hobby" directory on my computer so believe they were lifted from somewhere. However, I can't remember where it came from or how long ago I grabbed the picture. Again, I think it's another scam, I just don't have the machine sitting in my house to prove it.

Steve

I found that pic. I've had it for a while- I think it was listed on Ebay but was pulled early- probably another fake..

Steve

I'm no expert on these things, but I'm amazed at how chintzy the legs are. They're just the mass produced glass ball and claw that were found on every cheap piano stool of the period. Would they really have put those on a machine like this?

bbphonoguy wrote:I'm no expert on these things, but I'm amazed at how chintzy the legs are. They're just the mass produced glass ball and claw that were found on every cheap piano stool of the period. Would they really have put those on a machine like this?

Yep - those legs are legitimate original equipment.

George P.

Its baaaaaaaaack !!! and even cheaper.

http://london.craigslist.co.uk/eld/4594218759.html

How much bet that its really located on some unreachable island in the Outer Hebrides?

And possibly someone did not read the original posting on ebay when they copy / pasted

"I realize there is a large difference in price and to be safe I have placed the reserve for the Alva which I have been told is more expensive. If it is an ACME I will make an adjustment in price to the top bidder."