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Post by bearwild on Nov 10, 2015 14:11:29 GMT -5
Hello! I am new to this site and just purchased my first Edison last weekend. It is a C-150 with a serial number of SM 81996 - is there a way to figure out where and when this phonograph was built? Thanks!
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Post by phonogfp on Nov 10, 2015 16:53:43 GMT -5
Hello! All Edison Phonographs were built at the Edison Phonograph Works in West Orange, N.J. In the case of the Disc Phonographs, cabinets were manufactured by outside suppliers (usually furniture manufacturers) spread across the Northeast and into Wisconsin. The empty cabinets were shipped to West Orange where the mechanisms were fitted into them. The C-150 was introduced in June 1915, and original price was $150 (raised to $160 in January 1918, $170 in July, and finally $175 in September). During 1917, the C-150 briefly became the best-selling Disc Phonograph in the Edison line. During 1918, a total of 18,000 C-150s had been assembled. Sales trailed off in 1919 and it is believed all production was cleared by 1920. Your serial number seems quite high, and although no comprehensive production/sales figures are known, I would guess your machine must be relatively late production (1918/1919). You probably know that Edison Disc Phonographs use a permanent diamond stylus and typical 78s cannot be played with it. Also, Edison Records cannot be played with an adapter using steel needles. There's a good article on basic operational tips at the Antique Phonograph Society web site: www.antiquephono.org/basic-antique-phonograph-operational-tips/If you're unsure what type reproducer your C-150 is equipped with (Edison or a lateral type), there's a photo of a 1917 Edison C-250 in a different article on the APS web site. Go about 1/4 way down and you'll see it: www.antiquephono.org/encountering-antique-phonographs/Good luck and have fun! George P.
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Post by stellalindley on Sept 17, 2022 19:32:02 GMT -5
I just purchased an Edison A100 with a SN 19936. Can anyone tell me how I can find an estimate of manufacture date? Thank you in advance.
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