Many of the Alva machines must have been configured with a repeater for the purpose of putting them out in front of a store to deliver a sales pitch continuously. Both of my machines have repeaters. As for the lack of interest, there are very few Edison fanatics who see the Alva as something more than just an electrified Triumph utilizing a Business phonograph motor. Remember that rare does not always translate out to desirable. In my effort to have one of every domestic model Edison produced I sometimes obtained the rarest of items for a fraction of what I thought they were worth. More often I would encounter a machine that was rare but not desirable but that the seller had unreal expectations on the value. I would pay the high price so that my quest for the machine would end. Such was the Standard Model G which I paid $800 for a fixer upper, no horn or reproducer, because I have never seen one before or since. The average phonograph collector would look at the machine and offer $50. I have been out of collecting for many years and quit going to the Union Show long ago. I find it extremely shocking that two Alva machines would be offered by one seller in one year. The odds of that happening are akin to winning the lottery. Kindest regards to all, Al
