Bidspirit auction | Edison Amberola Model A1 Cylinder

Edison Amberola Model A1 Cylinder Phonograph - The Edison Amberola Model A 1( or 1-A) cylinder phonograph represents Thomas Edison’s ultra-premium entry into the internal-horn phonograph market starting around 1909. Designed to counter Victor’s popular ”Victrola,” the Amberola Model A encased the mechanism and external horn into an elegant, high-end piece of floor furniture. The Model A houses a massive, high-quality motor mechanism closely derived from the legendary Edison Opera. Unlike most cylinder players where the reproducer moves across a stationary record, the Amberola Model A moves the mandrel and cylinder underneath a stationary reproducer. Priced at $200, the Amberola Model A was expensive at launch and had a relatively short production run of about 3,500 machines. This machine is serial No. 1277. The mechanism on this machine is a special order gun metal finish with copper oxidized mandrel, model M 2/4 minute reproducer, and upper horn connector. It winds and plays both 2 and 4 minute cylinder records. The oak cabinet has the rococo type grill in VG condition with 1 small veneer chip. The single door opens to 4 pull out drawers that hold 25 cylinders each. The original metal record clips are intact in all 4 drawers. The cabinet finish seems to be original with a possible varnish overcoat. In all, a very beautiful machine. Comes with an original Edison key and a magazine advertisement. Measures 49.5” tall, 21” wide, 22.5” deep. From the William Kocher collection. This item is customer pickup or 3rd party transporter only.