1906 Edison Triumph B Phonograph Morning Glory Horn & Extras
1906 Edison Triumph B Phonograph, with 2/4 minute combination attachment, C and H reproducer, 32" Morning Glory Horn, Horn Crane and other extras, in Museum-like Condition
In a Nutshell
Edison's second version B from 1906 of the Triumph phonograph exhibits a golden oak case with Script decal and comes with a 2/4 minute combination attachment, both model C 2-minute and H 4-minute reproducers, a working shaver, an original 32" "Morning Glory" horn, a floor crane, and with various 2- and 4-minute cylinders, all in excellent visual and acoustic condition
Introduction:
One of Edison's earliest phonographs for home entertainment and the first non-electric machine was the so-called Spring Motor, built in 1895. It got a facelift in 1900 and was renamed Triumph later to be known as Triumph model A. In another facelift around 1906 Triumph model B was placed in a paneled case with a simple script decal. And this is what we have here. Subsequently models D, E, F and G were built and sold until 1913. The Triumph has a 3-spring Triton motor and was one of the most powerful machines Edison ever manufactured. It was capable of playing for half an hour up to 16 2-minute records with one single wind-up, and shave brown wax home-recording cylinders efficiently. The shaver attachment is quite sophisticated compared with those for the other machines. It could be brought into and out of its shaving position in a reproduceable way with the help of two levers (picts.34,35). Belt tension is provided by lowering the motor away from the bed plate with a screw (pict.29).
After 4 minute cylinders were available in 1908 the Triumph B as did all Edison machines, could be equipped with a 2 to 4 minute conversion kit (also called a combination attachment) that had in the beginning a lever for switching. A little later the combination mechanics could be switched with the fingernail, as seen here. It uses a sun and planet gearing and is almost identical with the one for the Home phonograph.
The phonograph is sold with a then optional rare blue flower morning glory horn. These horns were made by third parties, most likely by the Standard Metal Mfg. Co. in Newark, N.J., and sold well, since Edison horns were not very attractive.
About my phonograph:
The golden oak cabinet is in excellent condition without any wood damage or scratches. The Edison script decal is original and essentially undamaged (pict.41). The upper works are in near mint condition with full black paint coverage, no corrosion and decent pin striping. The shaver has its glass cutter and shavings channel and works flawlessly.The 2/4 minute combination attachment is of the later type without a switch lever (the early version (see my Home A for sale) had a lever switching between the 2 and 4 minute gearings). The model C 2-minute reproducer (picts.36,37) is in excellent condition, with a good sapphire stylus. The model H 4-minute reproducer (pict.38) has the (except engraving identical) weight of a C reproducer. The stylus and positive tests identifies it as a model H. The 3-spring Triton motor is perfect and has been lubricated. The 32" long and 22" wide blue morning glory horn has its original blue-white-yellow graded hand-pained flower decor, which is in very good condition. Included is also a 2-piece music stand type floor crane for the horn. The phonograph plays without flaws as can be seen by watching the youtube videos in ref.1 and 2 or clicking on picts.43 and 46. The first one is taken with the C reproducer playing Gold-Moulded wax cylinder #8650 with the announcement: "Comic Duet 'The Man Behind' sung by Collins and Harlan, Edison Record". A short clip is added showing a 4-minute Amberol cylinder, incorrectly played with the same 2-minute model C reproducer, just to demonstrate the 2 to 4 minute gear change. The second video is taken with the H reproducer playing the rare Edison 4-minute black wax Amberol cylinder #4M-804 from 1912: "Dixie Medley", banjo solo by Fred Van Epps. He and Vess L. Ossman were the most famous banjo players of the time. More 2- and 4-minute cylinders are available on request. Please
e-mail me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.
Here are the specifications:
Technical Description of Item
Manufacturer
Thomas A. Edison, Orange, N.J., USA
Model
Triumph, type B
Type
Oak cased cylinder phonograph with 2/4 minute combination attachment and shaver
Production Year
1906
Serial Number
60383
Cabinet
Golden oak, with Edison "Script" decal
Controls
Speed, on/off, reproducer lever
Size (WxDxH)
17½" x 12½" x 14"
Weight
46 lbs = 21 kg
Reproducer
Model C 2-minute serial #445898, model H 4-minute serial #341315 (w C-weight)
Horn
Orig. 32" (bell 22") morning glory horn w. rubber connector, 4 lbs = 1.7 kg