Name/Title
Edison “Concert” Phonograph – First StyleEntry/Object ID
190Description
Serial No. 1644. Introduced: February 1899 – Manufactured: November 1899
Original Price: $125 incl. 24-inch brass horn and horn stand
Historical Background
The Edison "Concert" Phonograph was introduced in early 1899 as a direct response to Columbia’s Graphophone Grand. It was Edison’s first and only machine designed for the large 5-inch cylinders (Concert cylinders) and was purpose-built to deliver exceptionally loud and clear playback. As Edison’s top-of-the-line model, it was aimed at professional demonstrations, public exhibitions, and larger venues.
The machine debuted in February 1899 at a retail price of $125 – an extremely high amount at the time. The package included a 24-inch brass horn, matching horn stand, automatic reproducer, recorder, oil can, chip brush, and speaking tube.
Technical Specifications
Serial Number: 1644
According to the serial number chart, this machine was built in November 1899, within the first year of production.
Motor: “Triton” triple mainspring motor – powerful and smooth
Cylinder: 5-inch Concert format
Cabinet: Light oak with a drawer at the lower right corner
Horn: 24-inch brass horn with matching stand (original)
Reproducer: Automatic Reproducer (later replaced by Model D after 1902)
Drive System: Belt drive with overhead carriage mechanism
Crank: Square winding shaft (typical of early Triton motors)
Accessories: Oil can, chip brush, speaking tube – as originally supplied
Significance and Condition
The Edison Concert Phonograph with serial number 1644 is one of the earliest surviving examples. Only about 1,800 units were built during 1899, making this machine part of the first generation.
This specific example is preserved in exceptional original condition. The cabinet features the plain drawer without stenciling or decal, as appropriate for 1899 production. The robust Triton motor with triple mainsprings remains fully intact and operational.
A particularly notable detail: the mechanism rests loosely in the cabinet and is held in place solely by its own weight – a feature exclusive to early Concert models. This was later changed to fixed mounting using screws.
Collector’s Value and Legacy
The Edison “Concert” was the largest and most powerful phonograph of its time – and today ranks among the rarest machines in the Edison catalog. Production ceased quietly in the summer of 1907, with only sporadic manufacturing already by 1906.
The machine now displayed at the Edisonium is a superb example of the type: an especially early, rare specimen in fully original and functional condition. A true milestone in the history of recorded sound.
