Appraisal

Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph, model C-250 s/n 8720

Description: Edison Disc phonograph made by Thomas Edison, Orange, N.J. Chippendale style mahogany cabinet with Chinese card cut frieze above the French Gothic style wood grill and extending along the sides, lid with cove sides and flat top. Square corner pillars mounted diagonally. Gold plated metal cabinet and external mechanical components. Double-spring motor and diamond-tip reproducer. Internal horn with ball-plunger style volume regulator.

Dimensions: 51-1/16" (H) x 21" (W) x 22-1/2" (D)

Date of Manufacture: circa 1916-7

Original Sales Price: $250

Condition: All external mechanical components present: operated by moving finger lever to start the motor; reproducer is positioned over the record and lowered to playing position by means of a rotating lever to the right and front of turntable. Gold plating on reproducer and crank in well above average condition. Very little wear to working components; original turntable felt present, wood positioning knob shows very little use wear. “Official Laboratory Model” plaque present. Below average wear to cabinet; some scuffing and nicking to feet and diagonal columns. Damage to right side of cabinet below crank; writing (perhaps crayon) on right panel.

Historical Significance: The Edison Diamond Disc models were introduced in 1912 and manufactured until 1927. The name originates from the use of a permanent diamond stylus reproducer that did not require changing, and the use of thick flat discs containing the recorded grooves. Unlike the Victrola, the Diamond Discs had vertical cut grooves and a mechanical drive system that moved the reproducer over the surface of the record. (In the 78 rpm phonographs, the needle in the record groove provided the force to move the reproducer and tone arm across the surface of the record.)

            The C-250 Diamond Disc Phonograph was launched in December of 1915 as a replacement for the earlier A- and B- model Disc phonographs. The 250 model designation was a reference to the original sales price of $250; it was also known for its Chippendale-style cabinet. Production levels of the C-250 are thought to have been approximately 800 units per month. Within a few months of production, the Edison factory began to refer to the C-250 CHIPPENDALE as an “Official Laboratory Model” in order to evoke feelings of prestige among dealers and consumers; a gold colored plaque was applied to these phonographs.

            Wartime hardships raised the price of the C-250 to $254.50 in October 1917; $265 in January 1918; $285 in September 1918. In April 1919, as part of a company effort to remove the old-price-model association, the C-250 was renamed the C-19.

            C-250 number 8720 probably dates to 1916 or 1917. This determination is due the relatively low serial number and the compartmented/divided record storage area, which was modified to a vertical wire slat divider system in late 1918. Feltoid casters were used on this model beginning mid-1916.

Recommendation: Diamond Disc models operate at 80 rpm and can be adjusted to play 78 rpm “Victrola” records. Attachment is present to allow playing of 78 rpm records – this attachment requires disposable steel needles which should be changed frequently to avoid damaging records.

Estimated value: Due to their large size and relative abundance, floor model Diamond Disc phonographs do better in local markets than on the international market. Prices are generally higher in the large urban areas of the West, e.g. Los Angeles / San Francisco.

In current condition:

            - Value on national market: $XX

            - Value on local market (dealer): $XX

            - Value on local market (retail): $XX

Restored value: add 10-20%

Insurance/replacement value: $XX