Need some general information

[RedjackRyan]

I know we have more than a few antique collectors/dealers here.. A friend wishes to part with an Edison Sheraton Model 19 Disc Phonograph circa 1920. She describes it as in very good shape and working condition. Ballpark estimates on what its value might be are welcome, she is following up on a few names that i gave her for appraisals. If anyone is interested, make an offer and i'll pass it along to her.

We'll get some photos as soon as possible.

[DaveM]

That's a tabletop model isn't it? Does it have a horn?

Let me pass the model number along to my antique phonograph guy and see what he can tell me--he's online right now.

Oh, and does she have any of the records? Edison phonographs used a very thick record with a different groove size than every other make.

Edited to add: there are at least four different Edison Model 19s. Pictures of these four can be found at: http://www.misterphonograph.com/EdisonDD.htm

[RedjackRyan]

This is a full upright model, most closely resembles the Model LU-37 "London Upright" or "London No. 3". She does have records for it but i don't know how many.

I hope to have pics of the thing monday, we tried matching it up online and the only one we could find with the little caster wheels was called a Sheraton Model 19.

[DaveM]

Somebody did sell a Model 19 on eBay recently for $275. I don't know that that's a representative price, however, as large items often bring more in a large local market than they will over the net (shipping being the major thing).

I will say that in my limited experience, the most popular phonographs with collectors are those with the big horns and especially the Edisons that play cylinder records. I could have bought one last year for $350 (but had no place to put it) and regarded that as a bargain.

As an aside, the old Edison disks, provided they have been reasonably well cared-for, have surprisingly good sound considering the way they were recorded. Edison (who was quite deaf by the time the phonograph took off) had some very good engineers on his staff. He himself was noted for booting Serge Rachmaninoff out of his studio one day and screaming that the man was "a pounder".

[RedjackRyan]

Thanks for the ballparks, Dave.. that sounds about right to me. When she told me about it, i initially hoped it was one of the cylinder types, i'd like to own one of those myself. Oh well, what can you do.

Edison was quite a character from what i've read, your story doesnt surprise me in the least.

Thanks for the help, i'll pass the info along to Barb.