How to spot a repro cylinder and/or it's storage tube ??

[Catahoula]

First let me say, I'm new to these players.. I have been in electronics since the 1960's (yep, I am that old), and in the oil exploration field for 30 and then on to other related things like IT and such.

My real passion has been collecting Vintage Radios (mostly pre WWII and preferably very early ones, back to the early 1900's when it was the original 'wireless., Vintage Test Equip, and

Telegraph Equip going back to the Civil War. Plus some Military Radio Equip as well... (I have an aircraft receiver that is the same model that flew in the Enola Gay, actually they are not that rare).

So with that being said, we were in an antique shop we visit frequently and noticed one of the vendors had placed a number of Edison cylinder records out. Very very nice looking and clean.

So I bought two of them not really knowing much about them (except, yeah, I do know how it all works). One I did not buy was Orange.

One is Green and only marked Edison Ambersol Record 4 minute on the front. The top has the number that matches the actual cylinder, 726. And another part of the label just says it

was made by the National Phonograph Company. The cylinder itself is in really good condition and is black.

The second one is Blue (as is the cylinder inside). It is marked Edison Blue Ambersol Record. As with the other there is a label on the top which has the number 2549 and matches the

cylinder inside. But above Edison's photo it says 'Form 475 Dec 1913'. This tube is missing the cotton lining that the other Green one has so the Blue cylinder wiggles some in the tube.

Now the bottom line:

I googled the 'Form 475 Dec 1913' and it lead me to your board! The thread was dated Mar 2012 and titled 'Repro Labels on New Repro BA Box/Tubes'.

Here is where things went to hell in a hand basket. I got lost trying to follow them.

So a simple question.. How can I tell if what I bought ($10 each) is real or just a repro?

A few photos of them are attached.

Thanks in Advance for any and all Advice!!

Ron Taylor

Houston TX

[lucius1958]

These look legit to me. As far as I know, nobody is making repro wax Amberol boxes; the repros of Blue Amberol boxes I have seen are the later, pale-blue-and-orange style.

Blue Amberol boxes never had a cotton lining, as they did not need them.

As for repro cylinders themselves, most nowadays are made of resin: for example, a repro Blue Amberol will be solid resin, without any plaster inside. Some older repros, such as Electrophone, were made of vinyl, sometimes with a cardboard core inside. In general, repros have a distinctive weight and feel, different from the originals.

BillS

[Catahoula]

Bill,

Thank you so much for the reply and the info.
I really appreciate it. It makes me feel better
now having someone look at them too.

Best Regards,
Ron

[lucius1958]

You're welcome!

BillS