Edison 4-minute Recording Head Carriage

[phono-phan]

I found this in a box of parts that came with an Edison Home. I am pretty sure it is a recording head carriage for 4-minute black wax records. There were a few of the 4 minute black wax recording blank records in the box also. I am not sure what model of Edison phonograph it would go to. It is black so I don't think it would be for an Opera. What does everyone think? It will be available at the Midwest Music Expo coming up in June in Schaumburg Illinois.

[phonogfp]

Coincidentally, this recording attachment will be pictured and described as part of my article in the June issue of the APS magazine.  It was indeed meant for the Opera, School, and Amberola IA and IB.

 

George P.

[BenL]

11 minutes ago, phonogfp said:

Coincidentally, this recording attachment will be pictured and described as part of my article in the June issue of the APS magazine.  It was indeed meant for the Opera, School, and Amberola IA and IB.

 

George P.

 

If I'm not mistaken, it's the attachment used by Frances Densmore on her Opera to make some of the earliest recordings of Native Americans. 

 

 

 

[phono-phan]

Great picture.  I have to wonder if the color of the carriage was specific to a model of phonograph.  Mine is black.  Would it then be correct for an Edison Schoolhouse?

[phonogfp]

9 hours ago, BenL said:

 

If I'm not mistaken, it's the attachment used by Frances Densmore on her Opera to make some of the earliest recordings of Native Americans. 

 

 

 

 

You are correct, sir.

 

Gorge P.

[phonogfp]

7 hours ago, phono-phan said:

Great picture.  I have to wonder if the color of the carriage was specific to a model of phonograph.  Mine is black.  Would it then be correct for an Edison Schoolhouse?

 

I have an original box for one of these attachments, with the labels intact.  There is no provision for indicating color.  I have my doubts that such a utilitarian piece would have been originally color-matched by the factory - especially considering the various colors that would have been necessary to match a IA, IB, and Opera/Concert in their various cabinets.

 

George P.

[BenL]

10 hours ago, phonogfp said:

 

You are correct, sir.

 

Gorge P.

My mistake — although the National Museum of American History has it cataloged as an Opera, it’s more likely a Schoolhouse.

(Edison Opera Phonograph | National Museum of American History)

[dbwhite]

Aaron Cramer made reproductions of those attachments. The ones Aaron made were all painted black.  I have one for my Amberola IA.