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Post by sonnyphono on Aug 20, 2012 21:09:20 GMT -5
I am looking for a reproducer for a U.S. Lakeside Opera model. I have contacted a few parts suppliers without luck. Does anyone have or know someone who may have a reproducer for this machine? It is the wide setup that has both the two and four minute reproducers in one. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Attachments:
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Post by maroongem on Aug 21, 2012 16:26:34 GMT -5
You can try Charley Hummel in Wayne, NJ. 973-696-3130. He may be able to help. The problems with those Reproducers was that they were made of potmetal, and have either frozen or have started to break apart. I don't know of anyone reproducing them.
The Opera was a very cool machine and because they used the name first, U.S. Phonograph sued Edison, forcing him to rename his Opera the Concert.
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Post by sonnyphono on Aug 22, 2012 0:39:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Bill! Much appreciated. I will try to contact Mr. Hummel tomorrow if I get a chance. I probably called a dozen parts suppliers and long time collectors today and not one had one or knew anyone who does. I contacted a few leads who had taken part in the fabrication of reproductions years ago and they no longer are involved in that process. So I don't know if one could be machined/reproduced at this point, which was the route I preferred to take for reliability issues of the originals.
As to Edison changing the name of his Opera to Concert, I had heard something to that effect while researching this model recently. But I wasn't sure if it was due to actual litigation or if Edison chose to change the name on his own accord. Interesting that a company as small as U.S. was able to win in court over a powerhouse company like Edison had at the time. It's my understanding that the U.S. Phonograph Co. was only in business for 2 or 3 years which also surprised me.
Thanks again for the help!
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Post by maroongem on Aug 23, 2012 16:06:08 GMT -5
Jeff,
I hope you have luck with Charley. If he doesn't have what you need, I'm sure if there are parts available he'll know where to direct you.
As far as the U.S. Phonograph Co., I think they were sued by Edison no less than four times. All were alleged patent infringements such as the feedscrew, and the way they were manufacturing the cylinders. Edison lost every suit but it drained U.S. Phonograph's funds. By 1914 they were out of business. Too bad because they made quality machines and records, IMHO. Maybe to them, the handwriting was on the wall for cylinders
Bill
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