What Kind of Edison Phonograph is this? Value?

[rob23]

Hi I found this phonograph and i want to put it up on ebay. Can anyone identify it and tell me how much it is worth? It says Model-H 4 Minute on it if that is helpful. It is in working condition.





If you need more pics. or info let me know.

thanks

[MT Phono]

I don't have my Edison books handy at the moment but it looks like it is an Edison Standard "A", banner front. It appears to have been converted to 2/4 minute operation (little cluster of upper gearing). It is missing the gear cover. Crank looks to be wrong too.

I don't see a lot of value in this machine - maybe $100-150US, mainly as a parts or project machine. Even that may be too high.

The horn appears to be a poor reproduction too. Little to no value in that.

Sorry but that is just my two cents.

[gramophoneshane]

I think it's a Model B standard. The A's had a speed control knob on the top of the bedplate near the front of the gears. Model B's will normally have a decal with just the word "Edison" on the front of the case. The gear cover is missing, and the handle looks like an edison amberola internal horn table model handle. The good news is that it plays both 2 & 4 minute records, which makes it more saleable. Have you also got the lid? That is a plus value wise as well.
Also Rod, the part which says Model H, is a 4 minute reproducer. It needs to be turned anti-clockwise 1/8 of a turn, so the pin in the black carry arm falls into the slot on the reproducer. A different reproducer- the Model C, was used to play the 2 minute records. I think the machine could be restored with a few parts and repolishing.

[lukewarmwater]

To my eye, the case looks to be mahogany, rather than oak. That will approximately double the value of the phonograph over oak, but it appears that a front trim piece has been stripped, or is very worn. That will lower the value somewhat. Please post additional pictures featuring views of the case. And, as gramophoneshane asked, do you have the lid? The crank appears to be incorrect as well. Edison cranks have female shafts and flat arms.

[maroongem]

You didn't say what you have into it, but the Mod.H if not damaged should fetch $120.00 or better if cleaned up. Look around the circumference of the horn where the brass bell meets the steel cone and see if there is a stamp in the black area that says "Patent appld for" or "Aug 22 1905." This would indicate a Edison issued horn. The repros don't have this(yet). Those can bring good money as well. If you don't have much into this at present, you may wish to invest in a proper crank and gear cover and if you are good at refinishing, redo the cabinet & decal. The ID plate appears to be an early one as it doesn't say "STANDARD" in the text. You didn't show a pic of the front so we can't see if this has the early banner decal or the later 1906 "Edison" decal.

Bill

[rob23]

more pics. as requested the horn does not have a stamp.

[gramophoneshane]

Hi Rob,
Here's a couple pictures of how it could look. Yours is an oak case too, with a coating of mahogany coloured varnish. It was probably done in the 1970's, which I suspect is when the horn was also made, but check it for the markings Bill spoke of. The decal has been removed in the process, but are available. The works are in pretty good condition, so you wouldn't have to refinish them. A good clean & wax would bring them up almost like new. A replacement frame for the works to sit on can usually be found on ebay fairly cheap. I made up this machine from parts, and the whole complete cabinet cost about $35. The marks on the back of the cabinet are from where a cygnet horn crane bracket was. The cygnet horn was a large gooseneck shaped horn which sat above the machine, that was held up by a bent steel rod.
Apart from the cygnet horn set-up, it would probably cost very little over time to bring it back to it's former glory.
The first thing I'd do, even if you are going to sell it, would be to get a record to test the reproducer. You can pick up a 4 minute wax Amberol record for about 5 bucks, and you'd get that back selling it with the machine. If the model H reproducer is in good working order, you'll get more selling it seperately, but the only way to tell is to play a record.
You never know, you might find you like it, and have found a new hobby

[maroongem]

Wow!
Looks like Helen Keller did the paint job on the finish!!!!

Bill

[gramophoneshane]

Yeh, it's not very pretty. It's way to shiny for my liking. I'm going to rub it back with steel wool , and give it a wax eventually. I was working on it when the Amberola arrived in pieces, so it just got put together, and has sat there ever since. I still haven't even put the signature decal on the front of the works yet- it's just been sitting next to it for 2 months. The camera flash makes it look even worse too. It's actually the very worn original finish with 2 coats of shellac over the top.

[maroongem]

Shane,

I was referring to the one rob posted, not yours!!!!
Sorry for the confusiion!

Bill