Phonograph
Edison
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1905
Materials
Metal and wood
Measurements
Phonograph - 385 mm (width); 255 mm (height); 240 mm (depth)
Place of origin
Orange
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 665008
Summary
An 'Edison standard phonograph', made of black and silver coloured metal on a wooden 'base'. The wooden lid is shaped like a half barrel with a turned wooden handle on top. The metal mechanism for playing cylinder records is partially encased in a wooden box. The metal cylinder is driven by a material belt. An arm, to hold the stylus, pivots on a bar fixed behind the cylinder and has provision for a horn to be attached. A lever at the front starts and stops the cylinder revolving. All this passes through or is fixed to a cast iron shaped base plate which is fixed to the top of a wooden box. A metal plate fixed to this plate names it as an Edison standard phonograph, serial number 541288 and gives details of patents and place of manufacture. An Edison trade mark is painted in gold on an upright section of the base plate. The winding handle, of metal and wood, protrudes at the right side of the box. The box is shaped and varnished, with 'Edison' painted on the front. There is a metal swivelling lever either side of the box just under the top rim. A cylinder record, 'Wilkins Micawber's Advice' is on the cylinder on the machine. Total number of items is 3.
Provenance
Donated to the Museum of Childhood by Dolman in February 1974.
Marks and inscriptions
Front of the box: 'Edison' Upright section of the base plate: 'TRADE/ Thomas A Edison/ MARK'
Makers and roles
Edison , maker