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Edison Triumph E Model 24 Minute Cylinder Phonograph

If you have ever heard the terms put a sock in it or stuff it you will understand the origin of them once you hear this edison triumph play a good cylinder. The phonograph plays a cylinder exceptionally well and with a large horn, the sound is loud. Yes, the term to ptu a sock in it originated with these old phonographs that did not have a volume control. I have located several sources for the origin of this phrase, but the best description was found in an indian online newspaper here okay, let me get back to the edison triumph e.

I purchased this phonograph a while back and as yuo can see, it is in it's original condition. The cabinet has not been refinished and it displays it's orginal aged oak patina.

If you look at hte phonograph, you will see that it is exeptionally clean and the wood looks especially vivid. The oak cabinet shows the quarter sawn oak pattern that is sometimes hidden beneath the several layers of darkened shellac. At this point, the phonograph is not perfect as there some of the gold missing off of the scrolling and the lid shows some loss of finish, but the unit appears otherwise to be in exceptional physical condition. The phonogarph was sold individually with no additional items like horn or crane. I borrowed a cygnet crane and horn from my personal machine to test this unit out and it worked quite well. It is both a 2 and 4 minute machine possessing gearing for both, but basically will only play 2 minute indestructibles or 4 minute indestructibles ro blue amberols. I tested the unit playing only 4 minute blue amberols and it was able ot easily play through the 4 minutes on a partial winding. The triumph works perfectly.

With a winding, the motor purrs with the light whine that is typical of these early phonographs. The leather belt does not slip and the feedscrew has been adjusted to not skip or drag. The 3 spring triton motor does not clunk (as can sometimes be heard on phonographs when dried grease suddenly releases the spring) and thus, the motor mvoes the whole assembly effortlessly. Over the years, i hvae purchased and sold many fine edison cylinder phonographs.

Considering all the firesides, the standards and homes, i have sold, the triumphs are my very favorite players. Currently i have one triumph in my home offcie that i play a few cylinders on that i have gathered over the years. The reason that i so strongly favor the triumphs is that they are so powerful which means that they do not suffer from the ills of premature slowing down or dragging like some of the lesser powered players may do. In fact, with proper adjustment, the triumph will oeprate and play multiple cylinders on a single winding. This means less winding with each play of a cylinder and it means that the triumph is not as sensitiev to being out of adjustment. With other phonographs, the adjustments are so critical that if something is off, the phonograph may not complete playing a single cylinder. The triumph is a bti more forgiving and requires less time to keep it operational.

This triumph is in perfect operating condition and requires no adjustment or work ot improve it, but some adjustment may be necessary once a horn and crane are connected so that the unit plays as it should. From what i have heard, edison was very particular about his phonographs and really liked the idea of one that operated off of battery power because of it's stable drive mechanism. Due to the chemicals necessary and the complications posed by early batteries such as storage and transportation, edison developde the spring machines to power the motor and be easily operated by the consumers. Allegedly edison claimed that his triumph operated closely to the steady motor found on battery powered units.

Personally, i can attest to this powerful motor. About 5 years ago, i lined up my wife and kids in the kitchen and gave them each 15 seconds to say something personal as i recorded their friends, favorite colors, schools, etc. We then sang a family song for the last minute and i have stored the wax cylinder away as a family heirloom. This was done on a triumph as the motor was steady and thus was able to accurately record everyone's voices for future reference.

This is a triumph e that means it was manufactured from september of 1910 to november of 1911. This date places it toward the end of the pre-blue amberol cylinder era.

It would have been supplied with an o reproducer that would be capable of playing both 2 and 4 minute cylinders. As it is now equipped, it utilizes a diamond b reproducer that allows it to play the harder surface 4 minute cylinders like indestructible or blue amberol. There is a tiny chip on the outside ridge of the diamond b and this is hardly noticeable and does not affect playback. As you can see, the edison triumph comes with what appears to be an original cygnet crane back bracket, but no horn or crane. You would need to provide either one of the cygnet variety or set up this phonograph to utilize a front variety horn and crane. Neither of these options is difficult to achieve. In talking with a couple of people over the years that are much more informed than me, i have been advised that these triumphs were manufactured in much smaller quantities than the homes, standards, gems, and firesides. The cost was higher due to several reasons. The triumph has a triple spring while the other units utilize a single spring. Everything is larger. The cabinet and the bedplate. And thus cost more ot manufacture. Finally, i would like to point out that the triumph is about double teh weight of the other machines and tips the scale at about 50 pounds without the crane or horn. I am happy to try to answer any questions you may have regarding this triumph. Mots questions will likely concentrate on shipping cost. Due to the weight and the size of the horn, the winning bidder of this phonograph is encouraged to pick it pu at my home in northcentral penna.

I am located in the town of lamar just one mile off of interstate 80 at exit 173. This is convenient to so many major urban and small towns across the mid atlantic region. We are only 4 hours or less away from philly, pittsburgh, harrisburg, nyc, wash. Dc, baltimore, rochester, fairfax, youngstwon and cleveland.

If you are the winner and cannot pick the phonograph up, i can arraneg to pack and ship this phonograph to you. As for shipping, the triumph will need to be shipped in 2 boxes or 1 large box. The cabinet / lid will be separated from the motor and shipped in it's own box to protect the cabinet from potential damage from the heavy motor or at least wrapped separately and shipped in the same box. Since the motor is heavy, any mishandling will place enormous stress on the wooden cabinet and dramatically increase the likelihood of damage to the wood.

I will separate the pieces for safer shipping. Cost for packing materials will cost $20 and will not likely cover all the costs, but will help me to defray much of the cotss and allow the phonograph to be packed properly. This $20 is included in the cost calculator. Then actual shipping will vary depending on your location.

Due to the size and weight of the triumph, shipping to biddesr outside the north american border will be expensive. Overseas bidders are welcome and i have a lto of experience in shipping difficult items to all parts of the world. I sold a triumph earlier this year to a gentleman in brazil. Please email if you would like a shipping quote and payment methods, but provide your city and postal code. Once invoiced, the winning bidder is asked to pay within 10 days and may use cash, business or personal check, or money order. I would really prefer to avoid transacting with paypal due to the extra fees charged to the seller, but will accept it if the buyer prefers. Penna residents are reminded that i collect the 6% state sales tax since i report my sales to the state. Thank you for taking the time out of a busy day to look at my ebay auctions!