Hi George Paul, George, and Al, This is from my research, other collectors, and what I have seen so any additions or corrections are welcomed. I have collected since 1983 and only found out about the third style less than two years ago. Off list communication at [email protected] is most welcome, especially from fellow reproducer nuts.
Actually there are three types of these oxidized reproducers. The earliest is the copper oxidized and somewhat resembles the Idelia finish. 78 rpm record adapters are also found in this finish. This reproducer was plated with copper, and then oxidized which turned it black. Then patterns were polished in the oxidized reproducer, revealing and polishing the copper to a bright shine. Then the reproducer was coated with shellac. These reproducers come in the second style of DD reproducer which was has the shoulder assembly held on by the four screws and the third style which is all cast. The earliest ones have the volume control, but this was deleted as it caused record damage when closed all the way. From my limited understanding closing it all the way reduces the diaphragmÂ’s ability to vibrate which produces a mechanical feedback onto the record grooves. Copper oxidation was available on certain A machines which had certain finishes. For example the A 250 had two colors of motor boards which were offered with certain woods and certain metal finishes. Since the last style of DD reproducer came out in 1915, the copper oxidized finish was made into 1915, these in the last style are rare, I have only seen two of these, and the rest have the shoulder assembly that is held on by screws. The second style was made for the Art models (I have been told) and is a bronze oxidized reproducer, and Frow says it was available on the A-150. These are very hard to find, I have only seen two of them on eBay and I have seen over 20 of the copper oxidized ones on eBay. All of the ones I know of were set up for the Duncan stop and I know of three of these. These have more of a circular polished pattern, especially on the head where there are four half circles polished into the head at each 90 degree position. The last style is the 1920's, either blued or brass oxidized, one where the reproducers were blued or oxidized and a straight line pattern and around the edge pattern was polished. This finish, called gun metal by some and satin by Frow, was done on regular, Dance, Long Play and Edisonic reproducers. Edison called this the antique finish; I can e-mail a copy of the ad where Edison offered the Dance in three finishes, nickel, antique, and gold. I can also e-mail photos of the earliest style of Edison weight, the machined one that resembles the diamond B and photos of the bronze oxidized reproducer. Brass, steel, and iron can be blued, stainless cannot. I consider myself to be one of the greatest reproducer enthusiasts, if only my knowledge matched my level of enthusiasm how happy I would be. If you have read this far, I am collecting serial numbers for the model O and N, I want to see when the O went from brass to iron and brass, and then pot metal. Best wishes, Steve >Let us not forget, there are two types of "oxidized" DD reproducers. There >is the early one our learned friend refers to which is striped and the much >more common later version which is more splotchy or shaded. I believe the >one Al is referring to is not tiger striped, unless I was looking at >another >one. > > > > If by "tiger striped" you mean "oxidized bronze," that reproducer would > > have > > been intended for an A-150 or early production B-150. There should be >a > > volume control built into the neck of the reproducer and the 4-screw > > stylus bar > > mount should be present. These reproducers don't show up too often, >but > > I > > wouldn't quite call them rare. > > > > Best wishes -- > > George Paul > > _______________________________________________
