manufacture dates

[BobM90]

I am trying to find a listing of manufacture dates for Edison Cylinder players, if anyone could recommend a web site with that information please send me a link, thank you.

Bob

[phonogfp]

Bob,

 

There are no websites with precise manufacture dates for Edison Phonographs, but original Edison sales records exist for all models sold by the company from 1896-May 1908.  If you list your model and serial number here, I'll be happy to tell you when your machine(s) left the Edison factory.

 

People sometimes ask why I don't post this information.  The answer is that I'd love to post this data on the APS website, but when I was allowed to copy it in 2012, it with the understanding that I wouldn't publish it until the owner published a book which would include it.  Since that has not yet happened, I am honor-bound to hold up my end of the deal.  I was, however, kindly given permission to help individuals date their machines.

 

George P.

[AlB1]

I have a similar question on the age of our Amberola CV1. Any info on it?

 

 Thanks,

Al

Edited May 27, 2022 by AlB1

[phonogfp]

1 hour ago, AlB1 said:

I have a similar question on the age of our Amberola CV1. Any info on it?

 

 Thanks,

Al

 

 

 

 

Sorry - your Amberola was sold after May 1908, so I have no precise data for you.

 

That said, the Amberola C VI was introduced in 1914, and the factory fire of December 1914 brought its manufacture to a close.  Therefore, it's safe to say that your C VI dates from 1914.  That's about the best I can do.

 

George P.

[AlB1]

That’s close enough. Thanks!!

[phonogfp]

You're welcome!

[LyneisFilm]

I have been wondering how many of the Edison Cylinder machines were built.  I have read many places that the Columbia and other Victrola's became more popular because of the advantages the disk format had.  On the other hand there seem to be quite a few Edison Cylinder machines that have now survived more than 100 years.  While the very early well restored models seem to be expensive, the two version that I restored --my neighbor's 1905 Standard and my wife's family's 1915 Fireside seem to have a values around $500.00.  So, they don't seem to be particularly valuable or rare.