Greg:
Your cabinet certainly appears to be an of the Edison A/B-275 variety,
yet there are a few subtle differences. The leg geometry looks slightly
different, in that yours appear a bit shorter and more robust than usual.
Also,
the inlay looks a bit wider, and (if I am reading the digital photos
accurately) lack the oval inlays at the tops of the corner columns. Stock
grilles are
inlaid around the perimeter, but I don't see it on your more elaborate example.
My inital thought was that someone (probably the original owner) had had a
more attractive grille fabricated by a local cabinet maker, but the other
variations in your cabinet make me more inclined to believe the "prototype" or
"factory sample" theory.
As you know, Edison did not manufacture its own Disc Phonograph
cabinets, but rather subcontracted with numerous furniture companies to supply
them.
Check inside for a "Cabinet Factory No." label. That would be a sure sign
that your cabinet came from a regular supplier.
If you're unsure as to the age of your machine, check the mechanism.
An "A"-type mechanism would date the machine to no later than 1915. If it's a
"B" mechanism, pinstriping would be present until late 1917. It's a shame
the data plate is missing, but the serial number on the reproducer might give a
clue in comparison to others known to remain with their original mechanisms.
All of this presupposes that your cabinet and mechanism (including reproducer)
have always been mated.
Interesting machine!
Regards,
George Paul
