Superb, 100% Original Edison Standard Phonograph

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Source eBay

's another gorgeous, perfectly working Edison Standard "B" cylinder phonograph with its factory original 14" brass and black horn. What distinguishes this machine from the one I sold last month is its factory pin-striping, which is double-striped and accented with florets in the corners, a factory "upgrade" that was available at the time of original purchase for a few dollars more and which is quite uncommon on a Standard B. Also, the original metal dealer tag (Julius A.J. Friedrich; Grand Rapids, Michigan) is still present on the cabinet and in excellent condition. Included with the phonograph with are an original jar of Edison grease, a near mint Gold-Moulded Edison cylinder record, and a professional reproduction of the original Edison catalog in which the machine was advertised. As noted above, t are no reproduction parts on this beautiful phonograph. Aside from the catalog, everything is original, including the Edison horn (with "PATD. AUG. 22 '05" stamped above the bead). As you can see in the photographs, the condition of this phonograph (like the Standard I sold last month) is extraordinary. The bedplate is essentially mint, with factory pinstriping that is close to perfect all the way around. I would encourage to you to enlarge all the photographs so you can see the full extent to which the delicate factory detail work is preserved on the bedplate. The original black enamel is still deep black and super glossy, and with absolutely no pitting, flaking, rust or corrosion eating away at the cast iron beneath it. The original gear cover is still in place, and its condition, like that of the other small parts both above and below the deck, is almost like new. The mandrel is still perfectly formed and brightly nickeled; the lid latches, crank escutcheon and handle hardware are clean and not caked with oxidation like they are on most machines; all four original feet are still intact on the underside of the base. The feedscrew is like new; the half-nut is like new; the crank is still brightly nickled. The original reproducer is in excellent condition, with bright nickeling throughout. Music played on the machine is clean, clear and LOUD. The gearing is quiet, and the phonograph plays three or more cylinders with just a single winding. The cabinet and lid are in excellent condition, with their original finish still intact, the original "Julius A.J. Friedrich" dealer tag still in place on the upper front lip of the motorboard, and the original Edison scroll decal still prominent on the front of the cabinet. The orangish tones of the original shellac somewhat obscure the clarity of that decal in the photographs, but in person the decal has a warm glow that underscores the century-old patina of the wood. T are a few scratches in the shellac, as you would expect to find on even the cleanest original machine, but structurally both base and lid are unbelievably solid, with tightly glued joints throughout, and (though I wouldn't necessarily recommend testing this out yourself, at least not on a regular basis), the handle is still capable of lifting the entire machine off the table when the lid is firmly latched. Moreover, the front lip has been dealer-notched in the top left corner, so the machine can be used with a morning glory horn and crane, should you desire to dress it up a bit. The brass and black witch's hat horn is original and beautiful and in excellent condition from nozzle to bell. The paint on the flare is original, and the horn is not dented, cracked, rusted or otherwise compromised. A few minor dings and some paint scuffs, but overall the horn is leagues better than most you see on ebay and elsew and, more important -- it's original. I will double-box the phonograph and pack it carefully and properly, and I can assure you that it will arrive at your doorstep in the same fine condition in which it leaves mine. I have been shipping antique phonographs and radios for years, and if you check my feedback, you'll see that I know how to do i... read more

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