EDISON COIN-SLOT PHONOGRPH ALVA OR ACME CIRCA 1907

  • 1900.00 £
  • Published date: September 26, 2024
    • Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

EDISON COIN-SLOT PHONOGRPH ALVA OR ACME CIRCA 1907


⭕ After much reading and consulting this is what we came up with----George L. Frows Edison Cylinder Phonograph Companion was our main reference. Other Edison books were also used in trying to determine if it was an ACME or ALVA.
Eclipse was ruled out - as it is only a DC motor. Motors made by Emerson
ACME could be maybe - but it has only an AC motor. Motors made by Emerson.
Alva could be - as it is an DC/AC motor, Frequently some of these motors were made by Emerson or Burke. The motor shell was aluminium with the normal friction governor on the extended motor shaft. This one has all of this.
The ACME and Alva were Triumphs with B reproducers. Both had the same cabinet,quartered oak antique finish, square top fitted with bevel glass and bevelled French plate glass mirror as interior backing. The cabinet corner pillars are rounded indicating 1906 and later. My cabinet case is original, with original finish. The show card is original. The sign holder is an exact copy of the original.
The ACME was phased out after 1907 and replaced by the Alva. The Alva was introduced mid to late 1907. The Edison signature style on this machine was used up to and through out 1907. The newer signature style was started in 1907 and used there after.
The machine I have is DC/AC if you look at the pictures of the motor you will see to the right and up at about two OClock a round piece. On it you see DC with an arrow aove it pointing counter clockwise, a black open box, then an arrow above the box pointing clockwise, Then AC. In the middle of the round piece is a screw. When I turned the screw clockwise inside the box turned to AC and when I turned the screw counter clockwise inside the box turned to DC.The motor shell is aluminium. On the motor states as you can see Ekonowatt 110 Volts made by Thomas A Edison Inc. Orange NJ USA.Most of the coin mechanism is original but some of the electrical switch & wires have been upgraded. All of the phonograph parts are original. It is activated by a one-cent coin. The Alva came with rubber hearing tubes with ear cups, there was no horn I bought a horn later. I do not have the crane or elbow for the horn, now I know why I dont have them. The dimensions are:Height 72 with sign board, without 46 base is 27 x 17. Weight is about 150 pounds
I believe this is an Alva from the information I have found but I am not an expert and most of you out there are far more knowledgeable so I have given you all the information that I have found. If there is something more that I do not know or see or have miss interpreted please email me and tell me or why you think it is an Alva or ACME.
I realize there is a large difference in price and to be safe I have placed the reserve for the Alva which I have been told is more expensive. If it is an ACME I will make an adjustment in price to the top bidder. I do not wish anyone to feel they overpaid nor I lose money by under pricing.

Phone number ✆ 01865 911793
Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire




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