Antique Edison Standard Phonograph Model E. USA, 1898

Antique Edison Standard phonograph, Model E, made in the United States of America in 1898, in very good working order and designed to play 4-minute cylinders. Originally this device could play 2-minute cylinders too, but the motor was modified so it could only play the first ones. The motor is in excellent condition and works really fine, providing a really amazing sound. The whole phonograph is original from the time except for the horn, a very accomplished reproduction. The phonograph includes a reproducer model H for 4-minute cylinders, as well as four original Edison cylinders ready to use and in good condition. The phonographs box is made of dark oak solid wood, very well preserved and with the original curved casing. At the front side we can see a golden decal with the brand name Edison. The wood is in a very good condition, with no broken or missing parts and preserving a fine satin finish. The black-enameled mechanism also bears the original Thomas A. Edison signature. The black enamel that embellished the metal is quite well preserved, regular and even. The motors foot preserves the original decoration, composed of golden lines and filigrees. The phonograph also bears a riveted metal plate with the engraved model letter (E) and the serial number 803965. This outstanding antique Edison E phonograph is a decorative and authentic piece. Its great sound will keep on delighting every lover of old-time musical devices.Edison Phonographs - History The first phonograph was developed by Thomas A. Edison as a result of his work on two existing devices: the telegraph and the telephone. In 1877 Edison decided to create a machine that could transcribe telegraphic messages through indentations on paper tape, which could later be sent over the telegraph repeatedly. He changed the paper by a metal cylinder and recorded the popular nursery rhyme Mary had a little lamb. To his surprise, the machine played his words back to him. Edison patented his invention on December 24, 1877; his first company, The Edison Speaking Phonograph Company, was founded in 1888 to exhibit the machine for commercial purposes. In 1894 he created The Edison Phonograph Company to market his phonographs. In 1894 the inventor declared bankruptcy for the North American Phonograph Company, in order to buy back the rights to his invention. Two years later he started The National Phonograph Company to manufacture phonographs for home entertainment use. The company was a success; soon, branches of the company were located in Europe. In 1910 the firm reorganized under the Thomas A. Edison Inc.; the inventor never wanted to move into manufacturing gramophone discs and kept on making cylinders. This resulted into the companys demise in 1929.