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Post by phonolair on Mar 29, 2009 15:07:31 GMT -6
MAKER: EDISON MODEL: OPERA SERIAL #: 2161 YEARS: 1911- 1912 ORIGINAL COST: $90.00 CASE/CABINET SIZE: 18” X 12 3/4” X 14 3/4” HIGH TURNTABLE/MANDREL SIZE: 4” MANDREL REPRODUCER/SOUNDBOX: 4 MINUTE MODEL L MOTOR: TWO SPRING HORN DIMENSIONS: WOOD MAHOGANY CYGNET 21” ACROSS THE BELL REPO PARTS: NONE, BUT THE ELBOW IS REPAINTED CURRENT VALUE MINT: $9000 - $11000 (Not necessarily this machine) INTERESTING FACTS: ON ONLY A VERBAL DESCRIPTION OF A COLLECTOR I TRUSTED. MY DAD AND I SET OUT ON A 24 HOUR ROUND TRIP TO INSPECT AND HOPEFULLY BUY THIS MACHINE. THE OWNER SAID IT WAS FOR SALE BUT HE HAD NO PICTURES, WOULD NOT SHIP IT OR HOLD IT AND THE PRICE WAS FIRM. AT THE TIME THE PRICE WAS A WORLD OF MONEY TO ME BUT I HAVE NEVER REGRETTED THE PURCHASE. FAVORITE CHARACTERISTIC: ITS FINE ORIGINAL CONDITION AND PLAYS AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS.
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schweg
Three Spring Motor
Posts: 218
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Post by schweg on Mar 29, 2009 16:24:12 GMT -6
Great machine. I've driven further and come back with less. Besides, what could beat a road trip with your Dad? Mine's crazy enough to go and pick up my purchases in the NJ area, haul them to the winter place in Florida and then accompany me to Orlando when I combine the phono pick-up with the Orlando phono show. It's a great time!! Steve
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Post by Moooperator on Mar 29, 2009 21:51:22 GMT -6
Oh thanks for the post! What a wonderful machine sitting on a wonderful cabinet. those Music master horns are a real beauty, aren't they?!?!
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Post by old-phonographs on Mar 29, 2009 22:10:13 GMT -6
It is always great to see a beautiful machine. I don't own an opera, but sure hope to one day. Thanks for the great story and pictures!
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Post by roaring20s on Mar 29, 2009 22:41:47 GMT -6
A clean machine! Here's a beginner question. I see that the mandrel moves and the reproducer is stationary. Same sound reproduction? Better science behind it? Also, was there a marketing name for the painted decoration on the mandrel and reproducer?
James
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Post by MTPhono on Mar 29, 2009 23:41:30 GMT -6
What a beautiful Opera! I haven't seen an Opera bedplate in a condition that good before. And you are right, these sound great.
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Post by phonolair on Mar 30, 2009 18:07:07 GMT -6
Thats right Steve, My dad was always ready to jump in the truck for a road trip to a out of state auction, Union or a show. And he wasn't even a collector, just my dad.
James that finish was called Oxidized Bronze by Edison. Whats interesting is it was used on some of the most expensive machines and some of the cheapest machines in the industry. I couldn't tell you if the stationary reproducer gave a sound advantage or not. Maybe a fellow collector will know.
Thanks Moo, The cabinet was another long distance buy and a story for another day.
Thanks for the kind words MT PHONO & OLD-PHONOGRAPHS, Its fun to be able to share some machines with other collectors out side my local area
Best Regards, Larry
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Post by Little Nipper on Mar 30, 2009 22:55:06 GMT -6
Nice Firewood! Edison phonographs always burn better than Columbias... 8===8 Little Nipper
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