Item: 1909 Edison Amberola 1-A phonograph, early original lyre grille, beautiful sound
Sold For: $5,485.00
Bids: Buy It Now
Date: Feb 27, 2012
Auction: Ebay
Seller: volvoic
Feedback: 100% (2482)
Description and Image By: volvoic
These earliest Amberolas with the lyre grille are incredibly hard to find, especially intact and unmolested. This early example is serial number #65, of the first week’s production. Powered by a smooth and steady 2-spring motor, power is sent from the motor below the motor plate to the upper works via a leather drive belt. Lovely original condition throughout, all bedplate decoration intact and beautiful. Diamond-A reproducer for playing 4-minute Edison Blue Amberol cylinders. Drawers have original egg-crates.
With this machine is a business card from a Mr. Perley B. White, who worked in the Victor department at M. Steinert & Sons Co, Boston MA. Phone number on the card is “Oxford 1530”! This must have been the salesman who made the whopping commission on this Edison. The mahogany cabinet and finish are original. I have not cleaned them. There are few veneer chips on the very bottom skirt of the right side (crank side) of the machine, which can be seen in the pictures.
Fully Serviced. Motor has been lubricated and adjusted, both mainsprings re-greased. Upper works have been disassembled and adjusted. Mechanism runs smoothly and quietly. Diamond-A reproducer has a new diamond stylus, new rubber gaskets, and has been delicately adjusted. This phonograph was well looked after by its previous owner (original purchasing family) who actually cared for the machine as much as I do. I will include some nice EARLY “flat-top” acoustic Blue Amberol records with the machine (directly cut masters, NOT dubbed from Diamond Discs), as they really shine and impress with their clarity and tonal quality. One must truly wonder why anyone would buy a 78rpm disc type phonograph after listening to the Amberola 1-A in 1909. To me, there is simply no comparison to be made!
I prefer local pickup (we are off I-87 North in the beautiful Adirondack region of New York State.) I will also assist your furniture moving company. This includes removing the mechanism and packing it securely in a box. The machine can also be brought to the Wayne, NJ phono show in the spring free of charge. In the past I have used American MiniMover as a coast-to-coast delivery company for floor model phonographs and I give them my highest recommendation.
Payment by certified funds, or at time of pickup. Please call me with any and all questions 7-days a week during daytime hours: 585-224-5453
Here are more pics of the bedplate details.