Greetings, everyone. While I've been collecting for quite a while, now, I've always just stuck to disc machines, but this weekend I stumbled upon an Edison Standard being offered for for next to nothing, so I picked it up. Trouble is, I know next to nothing about it, and I'm just trying to figure out what it is. It has the banner decal and the "C" reproducer, and it doesn't seem to have been converted to a 2/4 machine, though frankly I don't think I'd be able to tell if it had been. The serial number is S279 3 56, and the last patent date on the plaque is November 17, 1903. There is no indication of any model number (or letter) on the plaque. It has the original crane (1904 patent date on that) which is black and which doesn't actually attach to the case but rather sits underneath it, and comes up and out from behind the case. The horn is 25" long (14" diameter) with a brass bell, but the body of the horn is covered by something (I've seen it described as "silk," but it feels more like a thin leatherette), which is actually in very good shape, and which is now kind of a rust brown in color. The rubber neck is also there and in excellent condition (it could be a replacement, not sure; it's very thick). I know it's not a Standard A, since it has a decal and the lid is rounded, not square. The case (minus the lid) measures 12.5" wide x 6" high x 8.5" deep. So, I guess I'm wondering: What exactly do I have here? Can anyone tell me anything about the horn? Is it worth reconditioning the reproducer, or should I just buy a new one? What is involved in converting this to a 2/4 machine? Would such a conversion be inauthentic? I should add that it came with 8 2-minute cylinders in cases, so I suspect it is just a 2-minute machine as it is. By the way, I haven't seen anyone post any assessments of the Union show this year. What did you all think? --RR