[Phono-L] Ediphone questions

[Jay Horenstein]

When I was a kid I had a girlfriend who's father had two Ediphones in his
garage. They were both factory painted a red, not unlike the maroon 
Gem, and stood on red rolling stands.  To this day I have yet to see
another.  Anyone know of what model I speak?

-----Original Message-----
From: phono-l-bounces at oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-bounces at oldcrank.org] On
Behalf Of John Maeder
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 10:02 PM
To: Antique Phonograph List
Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Ediphone questions


Ediphones in general exist in two models: the boss's machine (record &
play), and the secretary's machine (play only).  Also necessary would be the
high speed shaver, and of course, dictation cylinders.  Ediphones were
produced in many variations, sold, or, records supplied -- from at least the
1920's through the 1960's.  The were descended fom a long line of Edison
products beginning with the very first wax cylinder phonographs; and, much
of dictation machine history is also descended from and intertwined with the
earliest Bell-Tainter Graphophones that evolved into Ediphone's competitor,
Dictaphone.

Black, metal-cased Ediphones almost certainly date from the 1920's.  Earlier
models were wooden (i.e., the Edison 'Business Phonograph' -- the Ediphone's
immediate predecessor).  Later models were 30's drab gray and more Art Deco
in styling.

I'm not sure if factory records are accesible.  Ediphone became
McGraw-Edison and then McGraw-Hill Publishing. I don't know the whole story
well enough to tell you any more.  I know of at least one collector with a
keen interest in business machines who can probably dial production dates in
more precisely without factory archives.  I will try to contact and ask what
is known.

John M



> Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:02:32 -0500
> From: jenny.rempe at gmail.com
> To: phono-l at oldcrank.org
> Subject: [Phono-L] Ediphone questions
> 
> Hello!
> 
> I recently bought an old Ediphone that I'm having trouble finding more
> information on. It is in a black metal box and uses wax cylinders.  It has
> headphones with rubber tubing, but no mouthpiece.  Were the recording and
> playing done on two different pieces of equipment.  Also, I'm not certain
of
> its age and wanted to know if anyone could tell by the serial number.  The
> serial number 256299 with a T a couple of spaces in front of it.The motor
> has  serial number 113402.
> 
> If there is anything you can share with me, please let me know.
> 
> Thanks,
> Loki
> _______________________________________________
> Phono-L mailing list
> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
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