Dating an Edison C-250, Amberola 30, and an Edisonic Schubert.

[JD250]

Hello all, I have three machines and have wondered what years they were from. I know serial numbers and photos of the machines themselves can help with dating so I’ll post images of the machines down below, and the information I know so far.

 

The C-250 which I bought in 2018 off the original owners. They had lost the key and the crank to the machine and bought a new crank which is not the correct size for the machine and juts out. The reproducer’s connection to the diaphragm was broken so the stylus couldn’t transmit any of the sound to the diaphragm and when playing a record it would just dig into it. Unfortunately they didn’t know about this and played all the machines original records with it so they are very damaged. But I have since had the reproducer rebuilt by Steve Medved.

 

 The reproducer’s serial number

The Edisonic Schubert I got in 2021. It  seems to be entirely original but I’m not sure. I got it from a man in Maryland who said he bought it from the past owners family when he had past away. It came with no records.

 

The reproducer’s serial number:

.

 

The Amberola 30 has been in my family since it was new, My Nana’s had it since the 80s when her grandfather died. When I asked when it was from she said that her grandfather told her that his father had bought it in 1910, but of course we know that the Amberola 30 wasn’t introduced until 1915 so he was probably just estimating. There are about 200 of the original records with the machine. Unfortunately there are no documents with the machine except for a Catalog Book from 1925. I sent the reproducer to Steve Medved in 2020 to have a new stylus put in as it had never been replaced. He said that the reproducer was a very late Diamond C from around 1926-1928. I also sent him the serial number of the machine itself which he sent to someone to date it, and it was dated to 1919-1921, but I’ve heard that the machines cabinet design can also help date the machine. Since it changed slightly over the years of production. I currently have the reproducer with Steve Medved to have a new diaphragm fitted because the previous one I had fitted was a very bad reproduction.

Thank you to anyone who can help, I will deeply appreciate it.

 

[Fran604g]

Hi JD250, and welcome to our forum!

 

Your Edison Diamond Disc Chippendale Phonograph Model C 250 was produced early in the model's lifetime. The earliest C 250s (oak) were shipped for sales in the last months of 1915, but weren't initially scheduled for introduction to the market until likely the Christmas season 1915. Some few were hastily assembled to meet demand from jobbers or dealers, however, from what seems to me to probably have been B 250 components in the newer Chippendale cabinets.

 

Yours was likely produced around the end of February/beginning of March 1916. Your motorplate's black finish, gold pin striping and what I perceive as maroon/reddish with gold lettering decals (photo isn't clear enough for me to positively identify the color) is the 2nd version of factory finish I've identified. The 1st version having been a maroon motor plate finish with gold pin striping and maroon/reddish with gold lettering decals, then the 3rd version followed with a black motorplate finish, gold pin striping and black with gold lettering decals. Another noticeable feature on these early Chippendales was that they were furnished with elaborate drip pans underneath the spring motor. Yours might have this feature, and I've noted them being either maroon or black finish. This type of drip pan was eventually phased from production for a smaller version of "shield" by the end of 1916.

 

It seems to me a possibility that the reproducer might be original to the unit, because of the relatively early serial number. Steve would probably have a better idea if my assumption is correct. You're probably aware that the grille cloth is a later replacement. The cabinet should have 2 drawers with 5 compartments each for record storage.

 

As for your Schubert, it's difficult to narrow down any specific production numbers because of inconclusive documentation. The model was introduced in September, 1927 and would have been produced for only about 2 years, until October 1927 when the Edison Phonograph division was permanently shut down. Personally, I'm inclined to think most were produced in an early period of manufacturing, likely during 1927. The reproducer that is with yours is known as the "New Standard" (aka "Edisonic") which was supplied with both models of Edisonic from the factory. It certainly looks to be all original to me, and in wonderful condition.

 

I can't comment on your Amberola, but I'm sure someone else more expert than myself can and will be along at some point.

 

Best regards,

Fran

[JD250]

Hello Fran,  you’re right about the decals on the C-250 motor-plate, they are maroon/reddish with gold lettering. Also the drip pans you described are also present (they are black) along with the 2 drawers and 5 compartment record storage. 
 

In this photo I noticed a faded stamp which says the date, February 28, 1916. Could that be the assembly date?

 

Shame there’s not much documentation on the Edisonics but I think your theory makes a lot of sense.

 

Thank you so much for the information, it’s always fun to know around how old the machines are!

With thanks,

Jason

[Fran604g]

44 minutes ago, JD250 said:

Hello Fran,  you’re right about the decals on the C-250 motor-plate, they are maroon/reddish with gold lettering. Also the drip pans you described are also present (they are black) along with the 2 drawers and 5 compartment record storage. 
 

In this photo I noticed a faded stamp which says the date, February 28, 1916. Could that be the assembly date?

 

Shame there’s not much documentation on the Edisonics but I think your theory makes a lot of sense.

 

Thank you so much for the information, it’s always fun to know around how old the machines are!

With thanks,

Jason

Hi Jason,

 

You're very welcome, I hope you enjoy your Phonographs for years to come!

 

I have an A-100 with Edison No.2 Cabinet Factory (Form 890) sticker stamped similarly with the date Aug. 7 1916, and my thought is that perhaps this may have been an inspection date at the cabinet factory. However, I can't be sure and it's only speculation on my part. Hopefully someday information surfaces that might explain some of these lesser understood nuances. In July, 2015 I began conducting a survey of sorts to reveal different variations of Cabinet Factory No. stickers in the hope we might learn more of the various facilities the Edison Co. used for the manufacturing of their cabinets. If you'd like to learn more, here's a link

 

Best,

Fran