Edison Suitcase Home Phonograph for sale

This is one of the earliest Edison phonographs that you are likely to find, dating 1896-1901 when practical spring motor machines were first introduced into the home.

Technically, it's the first version of the Model A Home, but most collectors just call it the Suitcase Home because of the four suitcase type clips that secure the lid.

The beautiful, colorful red banner on the lid is a distinctive feature of this model, and is especially appealing to modern collectors.

This example has very nice original finish and a very good original decal. It comes exactly as it would have been seen in 1900, with an all brass original horn, and a hard-to-find original floor crane.

This Suitcase Home has been mechanically restored. I have taken apart the motor and upperworks, cleaned, inspected, lubricated and readjusted everything.

The spring has been pulled and re-greased, a big but important job. The governor has been cleaned and polished for smooth running. A questionable pinion gear was replaced. The drive pulley has been re-belted.

The Model C reproducer has a good stylus and is playing strong. In case you are wondering about the extension on the reproducer carriage, the earliest reproducers for these machines had to be adjusted into the groove with every record. They were almost always replaced with the improved, self-centering C reproducer.

The all-brass horn is approximately 30 inches long with a 14 inch bell. It's in very good (though not pristine mint) condition; some minor dents were rolled out of it.

All sorts of craning were sold for machines of this vintage. You can see fittings for some type of crane on the rear of this machine. If you have the space for it, a floor crane if you are lucky enough to find one is definitely the way to go -- it offers substantial support for the horn with less danger of tipping the machine over. Floor cranes are collectible by themselves in their own right. (I happen to be one of the people who really like them.)

This Suitcase Home is now playing as nice and smooth and loud and articulate as can be. You can hear it on the youtube video below.

Price includes five 2 minute cylinders in very good condition.

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Lynn Bilton
Box 435
Randolph,OH 44265
330 325-7866

We buy, sell, and repair antique phonographs and music boxes.

Pick-up and delivery possible in many parts of the midwest,south, and northeast.