ABSTRACT
Listed here in alphabetical order are the named models of Edison cylinder phonographs. Disc players are identified following the names of the cylinder machines. 1. Alva. An electric (mains) version of the Triumph, available in 1907 in both America and Britain, supplied with a cygnet horn. It sold at $85, or up to $100 with the Model C reproducer. In 1908 a Model H reproducer was added, for playing the Amberol. A Model O reproducer was available in 1910. The machine was discontinued in 1912 (U.S.) and 1911 or 1912 (Britain). Illustrations in Frow 1978, pp. 23-24. 2. Amberola. Edison’s premier phonograph, produced from 1909 to 1929 to play both the two-minute and four-minute Amberol and the four-minute Blue Amberol cylinders. The machine appeared in various modifications with different model designators: Amberola I. Marketed in the U.S. and Britain, 1909-1912, for the two-and four-minute Amberol records. It came in A and B styles, both of them floor models with internal horns; A was belt driven, B had the same motor as the Opera player. Selling at $200
(mahogany, oak), or $250 (Circassian walnut), it was aimed at the high end of the market, in competition with the Victrola and Grafonola gramophones. Reproducers used included Models A, L, and M. Illustrations in Chew 1981, p. 94; and Frow 1978, pp. 89-92. Amberola III. (Note: there was no Amberola II.) On sale from 1912 to 1915 in U.S. and Britain, to accommodate the four-minute Blue Amberols. It came in an open stand instead of a closed console cabinet, using the same motors and reproducers as the I. Price was $125. Illustration in Frow 1978, p. 93. Amberola IV. On sale from 1913 to 1915 in America and Britain, for the four-minute records. It used the Model B reproducer, with Model N as an optional extra. The motor was a modification of the Home motor, belt driven. The stand had a modern look, with an open shelf in place of the closed cabinet. The appearance was evidently a hindrance to sales, as fewer than 71 were ever sold at the $100 price. Illustration in Frow 1978, p. 94. Amberola V. Despite its number, this model went on sale before Amberola IV; it was on the market in 1912, the first table model Amberola. Price was $80; sales were brisk. It had a single-spring motor, using a Diamond B reproducer. Illustration in Frow 1978, p. 95. Amberola VI. Three VI models of this table phonograph have been identified by Frow, offered in 1913-1914 in the U.S. and Britain. The nomenclature was confusing: Amberola VI (later called the A-VI), B-VI, and C-VI. Principal differences were in the motor, which gave trouble from the first. A modified Fireside type motor was finally used. All versions sold for $60, but those remaining after the Edison fire of December 1914 were released at $50; they had been fitted with Amberola 50 mechanisms. Reproducer was Diamond B. Illustrations in Frow 1978, p. 97-98. Amberola VIII. (Note:there was no Amberola VII). A simple, inexpensive ($45) table model, introduced October 1913 and marketed until 1915. It had the Fireside or Standard motor, with Diamond B reproducer (Model N optional extra). Two cabinet styles were available. Illustrations in Frow 1978, pp. 99-100. Amberola X. (Note: there was no Amberola IX.) Sold from 1913 to 1914, in the U.S. and Britain, in four table models having some mechanical differences. It used the Gem type motors at first, then the Fireside type. At $30, it was the cheapest of all Amberolas; and also the smallest. The reproducers were Diamond B, or sapphire Model N as an optional extra. Illustrations in Frow 1978, pp. 100-101. Amberola 30. In 1915 Edison decided to consolidate the numerous Amberolas into three lines, to be known by the number of dollars required to buy them: 30, 50, and 75. Table model 30 was the sales leader (selling 18,000 in one six-month period of 1916). It was available in the U.S. and Britain. A single-spring motor was supplied, with a Diamond C reproducer. Production ceased in October 1929. Illustrations in Frow 1978, pp. 105, 130. Amberola 50. Introduced in 1915, in the U.S. and Britain. A table model, with doublespring motor, and Diamond C reproducer. It was modified and sold around December 1928 in Britain as the Amberola 60. Production ceased in October 1929. Illustrations in Frow 1978, pp. 106, 108, 109. Amberola 60. The British version of Amberola 50. Amberola 75. Sold in U.S. and Britain from 1915, it was a floor model version of the 50. It seems to have been sold in Britain and Australia, with modifications, as the Amberola 80, from around December 1928. Production ceased in October 1929. Illustrations in Frow 1978, pp. 107-108.
