December 3, 1916

Yesterday an old, yellowed newspaper clipping fell out of my mother's Bible. I feel sure it was something her mother, my grandmother, had clipped and saved because the date on the clipping was 12-3-16. Mother was born eight years after the date written on the paper. It was hand written and the writing was of my grandmother. I've seen her hand writing so often that I know it on sight. I have many things she's written. The article was about Thomas A. Edison which I have quoted below.

My grandmother Mary is on the left and holding my mother. My grandfather is on the right and his hand is on Wallace, my uncle. The girl in the middle is my mother's sister, Alice.

YARB - (1) "I am not a nonbeliever in God." said Thomas A. Edison to a Post-Dispatch correspondent when it was called to his attention that some things he said had given the impression that he was an agnostic, if not an atheist. "All scientists," he continued, "in getting nearer and nearer to the first case, feel that about and throughout everything there is the play of an eternal mind."

EDISON AMBEROLA 30 introduced in February 1915 is a 4-minute phonograph that plays Blue Amberol or indestructible cylinders only. This later model is slightly larger than the early model. Its dimensions are 12½" Wide, 16" deep and 13" high. This machine has a single spring motor capable of playing 2-3 4-minute records per winding. It has a highly reliable, heavy-duty helical gear drive. The Reproducer is a Diamond Model C, the only option for this phonograph. The cabinet is a table model made from Oak wood. Edison Amberola 30 The metal horn grille is stained this oak color and it has a black silk cloth covering the inside back of the grill. This 'sales leader', the smallest and least expensive machine was produced from 1915 (after the fire) until October 1929.

Commentary: This particular machine required very little restoration work. The grill cloth needed to be replaced, the light oak stain shellac finish needed some gentle restoration. The black metal louvres required a light coat of high gloss black paint. The Diamond Model C Reproducer required a standard rebuild to bring back the original sound of this popular table top machine. When winding the spring on an early Saturday morning, it snapped and immediately spun clockwise which in turn unwound the crank which fell to the floor. It was fairly easy to replace this low energy spring. This Model 30 required a good cleaning, lubrication and general preventive maintenance to keep it running reliably. At the time the Amberola 30 was introduced, it's US List price was $30.00

Like other Edison model numbers, the Amberola 30 cost $30, the 50 cost $50, the 60 was the British version of the 50, the Model 75 cost $75 and the 80 was the British & Aussie version of the Model 75.

Below is the Web site where I found the photo of the Amberol. My grandmother had one and it has been handed down to me.

http://phonojack.com/Edison%20Collection.htm