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Collection of 22 Thomas A. Edison’s Cylinder Records - $150 (Southwest Austin)
Convict Hill Road near Vermillion Drive
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In 1887, Thomas A. Edison turned his attention away from commercial development of electric lighting to improving the phonograph and the phonograph cylinder. The following year, the Edison company debuted the Perfected Phonograph and introduced wax cylinders approximately 4.25” long and 2.25” diameter, which became the industry standard. Edison’s wax cylinders made their commercial debut in 1889. They had very limited plays before wearing out.
In 1902, Edison's National Phonograph Company introduced Edison Gold Moulded Records, cylinder records of improved hard black wax, capable of being played hundreds of times before wearing out.
In 1908, Edison introduced a new line of cylinders (called Amberol) playing 4 rather than 2 minutes of music on the same sized record, achieved by shrinking the grooves and spacing them twice as close together.
In November 1912, the new Blue Amberol Records, made out of a type of smooth, hard plastic similar to celluloid invented by Edison labs, were introduced for public sale. The plastic Blue Amberol records were much more durable than wax cylinders. The Edison lab claimed a 3000+ playback quota for the Blue Amberol.
This collection has examples of each type of record: Gold Moulded, Amerol and Blue Amerol. All the Cylinders are in their boxes & appear to be in playable condition. Individual cylinders in similar condition average over $20 each+tax&shipping on eBay with some as high as $120 each. The last photo illustrates some of the completed Sept 2025 sales on eBay.
This collection of 22 can be yours for $150
This 22-record collection includes the following Songs/Performers grouped by their type of cylinder:
EDISON GOLD MOULDED RECORDS – 1902 to 1908
Uncle Josh Buys an Automobile – Cal Stewart
EDISON ABERSOL RECORDS – 1908 to 1912
Blue Bell – No performer named
The Evening Star – No performer named
The Hat my Father Wore – Murray & chorus
When Grandma was a Girl – No performer named
The Longest Way Around – Will Oakland
EDISON BLUE AMBEROL RECORDS – 1912 to 1929
Patriotic Songs of America – Band & Quartet
One Heart Divine – Elizabeth Spencer & Gillette
Rainbow – Ada Jones & Murray
The Humoreske Song – Van Brunt
Beautiful Bird, Sing on – Marie Kaiser
William Tell Fantasie – Xylophone
Serenade – Florentine Inst Trio
Maritana on Maritana – L. Katzman & S. Mantia
In the Clock Store – Sodero’s Band
Light as a Feather – Daab
I’ll Love You Forevermore – Anthony
The Man behind the Hammer & the Plow – A. Fields
How could I forget Thee – Quartet
When the Midnight Choo Choo – Collins & Harlan
That’s How I Need You – Gillette
From the Magic Flute – Daab
Pick up is in Southwest Austin 2-3 minutes from the intersection of Mopac & William Cannon. Please do not respond if that is not convenient for you. If it is still listed, it is still available.
I would consider shipping in the US.
ENGLISH or ESPAÑOL OK
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