A good or bad trade - curious collector

[briankeith]

I need some opinions please - I just swaped an Edison Maroon Gem with original horn & crane (I had two of these) for a really clean working 1903 Edison Projecting Kinetoscope with two silent films made at the Black Maria. The two films are in rough shape but the cans are nice with intact Edison West Orange labels. I am clueless to $$$ this Kinetoscope is actually worth but I'll buy just about anything Edison manufactured in West Orange or Menlo Park sice I live in Jersey,,,, near West Orange! It's a bad habit I've had since 1973, hah hah!

[FellowCollector]

In my opinion, you did well. The Edison Projecting Kinetoscope and the Edison Home Kinetoscope are very scarce. Years ago I purchased an excellent original and complete Edison Home Kinetoscope with 7 excellent condition original Edison Films in their special tins with titled labels on the lids. You will find more Maroon Gems than these Kinetoscopes, again, in my opinion. I am looking for the electrodes for the arc lamp that originally provided the illumination. Likely dangerous to use today but it would be nice to view the movies the way they were originally viewed if possible. Even just for a minute. It was a good find for you.

- Doug

[Jerry B.]

In the past I have made trades or purchases based on my best judgement and without real knowledge. For the most part I have been very pleased. I personally avoid second guessing myself. As a collective group, we are influenced be each other but in the end, you only have to please yourself (and in my case, possibly DeeDee!). I suggest that you enjoy your new item and don't look back. When you have a moment, please post a photo of your new treasure. Happy collecting, Jerry Blais

[Uncle Vanya]

In my opinion, you did well. The Edison Projecting Kinetoscope and the Edison Home Kinetoscope are very scarce. Years ago I purchased an excellent original and complete Edison Home Kinetoscope with 7 excellent condition original Edison Films in their special tins with titled labels on the lids. You will find more Maroon Gems than these Kinetoscopes, again, in my opinion. I am looking for the electrodes for the arc lamp that originally provided the illumination. Likely dangerous to use today but it would be nice to view the movies the way they were originally viewed if possible. Even just for a minute. It was a good find for you.

- Doug

Here is where I get mine:

http://www.cinemacarbons.com/

I believe they will have what you need. The "AC" carbons burn much longer and better on alternating current. If you purchase the DC carbons, be certain to fit an appropriate bridge rectifier, such as this one from Mouser Electronics: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Fai ... dit9x7c%3d into the primary circuit.

[penman]

Sounds really good. Just an FYI on the film, if by really bad shape you mean it's deteriorating, be very careful. Old nitrate film stock is HIGHLY flammable, and if it starts to degrade, if you get any kind of a sour odor from it, that means it's off gassing and forming nitric acid, so it should only be handled with gloves. In any event DO NOT attempt to run it through a projector, even if it could take the stress, if unstable the heat from the lamp could ignite it, and for those who've seen a Blue amberol ignite, that's nothing compared to nitrate film.

The projector does sound really good, you can always find another maroon gem, not so for the kinetoscope.

[FellowCollector]

Here is where I get mine:http://www.cinemacarbons.com/

Thanks Uncle Vanya. I will give them a try! - Doug

[briankeith]

Thanks everyone - I knew it was going to a rare "Gem",,, no pun intended. Yes, when you open the film canisters it smells really bad, sour as you stated. I will not try to use the film as it is very brittle and has been spliced several times in the past 100 plus years. And I will use gloves. I will try to get some photos posted after I clean it up a bit. (I know this is a Talking Machine Forum - so thanks everyone since this is sorta unrelated)