1909 Amberola 1-A, 28101 Barcarole "Tales of Hoffmann" Marie Rappold & Thomas Chalmers

Early acoustic direct cut "blue-plaster/flat-top" pressing of Edison Blue Amberol 28101. One of my favourite Marie Rappold and Thomas Chalmers duets. His voice in particular, really sounds great. Somewhere around time index 1:51, you can hear my 52 pound dog plotzing down on the wood floor in the next room!

These earliest Amberolas are incredibly hard to find, especially intact and unmolested. Powered by a smooth and steady 2-spring motor, power is sent from the motor below the motor plate to the upper works via a leather drive belt. With this machine is a business card from a Mr. Perley B. White, who worked in the Victor department at M. Steinert & Sons Co, Boston MA. Phone number on the card is "Oxford 1530"! This must have been the salesman who made the whopping commission on this Edison.

The reproducer is a Diamond-A, with a full exponential horn. The machine has TWO brass identification plates on it. One on the cabinet, and one on the motor plate, right under the mandrel, both stamped with matching serial numbers. Nothing sounds quite as lovely as an early acoustic cylinder being played on the 1-A. This all-original machine has survived in a farmhouse since new with its original family. Its previous owner maintained it, oiled it, and kept it impeccably clean. To him I am grateful. Thanks for viewing.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• edison
• phonograph
• blue
• amberol
• amberola
• 1-A

[Moooperator]

Amazing sound quality... you have it at top condition!