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Nice 1899 Edison Standard Phonograph, Early 4-Clip Squaretop Model A, with Automatic Reproducer, Automatic Recorder, and Appropriate Funnel Type Horn, in Museum-like Condition
In a Nutshell
You are looking at the first version of Edison's Standard Phonograph with the teething trouble of a 2-clip suspension removed: a 1899 Square-Top 4-Clip Model A Standard, equipped with an Automatic Reproducer and Automatic Recorder, both with Glass Diaphragm and Sapphire Stylus, and appropriate 14-inch "Funnel" type Horn, in perfectly working condition
Introduction:
The phonograph invented by Thomas Alva Edison [1847-1931] in 1877, in the beginning was used as a business dictation device and was rented for amusement in "phonograph parlors". Have a look at my parallel auction of a 1908 business phonograph. After inventing the phonograph Edison lost interest and worked for his incandescent light bulb. In 1890 he had bought his company back from ill Jesse H. Lippincott [1842-1894], and after declaring bankruptcy in 1894, and thereby also getting back his rights on the phonograph, he started to build first machines for the home entertainment market, the "Class M Home" (1893), the "Amet Motor" (1895), the "Spring Motor" (1896), the "Home" (1897), the "Standard" (1898) and the "GEM" (1899) phonographs, the technically limited GEM selling for 7.50$ only. The first Standard "S" phonograph had a square-top lid, held with two clips to the cabinet, the 1899 second version Standard "A" square-top had 4 clips. Another characteristic feature of these early Standards is their straight horizontal end-gate. The reproducer used was in the beginning the "Standard Speaker", which could also be used for recording. For an extra 5$ the improved "Automatic" Reproducer could be substituted. A separate matching Automatic Recorder was sold to do recording. The early Standards also had a built-in shaver, which however was not a very useful device, since the motor turned out to be too weak to do shaving. The "Square top Standard", often incorrectly named "Flat Top" or "Suitcase Standard" is the first phonograph to carry the Edison trademark design and the only Edison machine with flat top lid (the "Square top Gem" cabinets were not manufactured by Edison).
Additional information:
ref.1: http://www.edisonshop.com/reproducers/ducer.html
ref.2: http://www.nps.gov/edis/index.htm
ref.3: http://www3.sympatico.ca/jean-paul.agnard/phonograph/collection.htm
About my phonograph:
My phonograph is a 1899 4-clip Standard Model A square-top model with straight end-gate. The early carriage is prepared to adapt a shaver attachment and has the mechanics to adapt the standard speaker introduced in 1889 , which could be aligned for tracking. It comes with an automatic reproducer introduced in 1892, which does not need alignment anymore, and a matching automatic recorder. The reproducer had a very early copper diaphragm (4 instead of 7 waves), which however cannot be original, since copper was used not until 1907, if I am right. I replaced the diaphragm (and gasket) with a new glass diaphragm expertly remanufactured by Norman Bruderhofer in Germany (pict.s 21-23). The heavy weight of the reproducer and its high serial number 188516 are typical for a later version, adapted to play cylinders made from carnauba wax, that was harder than brown wax. This automatic reproducer is perfectly usable for Gold-Moulded Records, coming up in 1902, and according to ref.1 is valued at $250-300. Together with the automatic recorder, these two attachments are by themselves very collectible and account for about half of the total value of this phonograph. The horn shown in the pictures is a "funnel type" horn, that is more appropriate than a bell-shaped witch's hat horn. As an upgrade I offer also a pair of listening tubes, professionally reproduced by Jean-Paul Agnard (ref.3).
The case has been degreased and hand-polished with Mohawk products. It is not restained nor relaquered. A split in the square-top plate has been reglued and filled. The Edison Trade mark signature on the face plate, as well as about 30% of the pin-striping at the exposed front-right corner have been repainted by hand (no decals!). The paint can be removed without further removing the original pinstriping. Watch the 4.3MB! flash movie by clicking on pict.38, and see and hear the phonograph play the 1908 Gold-Moulded Edison record No.10074 "Policeman O'Reilly On Duty" with Steve C. Porter as policeman. Please e-mail me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.
Here are the specifications:
Technical Description of Item |
Manufacturer |
Thomas A. Edison, Orange, N.J., USA |
Model |
A |
Type |
4-Clip Square-Top |
Production Year |
1899 |
Serial Number |
S 31724 |
Cabinet |
Oak |
Controls |
On/off, speed, reproducer lever |
Reproducer |
Model Automatic, serial 188516, with glass diaphragm and sapphire stylus |
Recorder |
Model Automatic, serial 65366, with glass diaphragm and sapphire stylus |
Horn |
"Funnel" type 14" x 6½" horn from black painted metal with hand-painted gold stripes |
Size (WxDxH) |
12¼" x 9" x 10" |
Weight |
18 lbs = 8.2 kg |
Upgrade |
Pair of listening tubes, reproduction, ask for price |
Comment |
A working early Standard Phonograph, with a collectible Automatic Reproducer and Recorder |
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