EDISON FIRESIDE PHONOGRAPH TYPE , 1909

The Edison Fireside was a compact phonograph that was introduced with the release of four-minute records in 1908. This model was immediately very popular, the mechanism has a factory-installed switch for choosing 2 versus 4 minute records, the Model K reproducer has a swivelling stylus for different types of cylinders, and the horn is the small maroon Morning Glory type. Type 'A' indicates the first in the series of this model.

Donated by Peter and June Carter

Your comments:

• The phonograph originally belonged to my grandfather, Walter Carter, who lived in Leyton East London. Thinking back, he may not have purchased the phonograph new as he would only have been a teenager at the time (I guess 1905-1910), Walter was born in 1890, and certainly not affluent enough. Most likely he would have bought it during or after the first war, during which he was a vehicle mechanic- and later a garage proprietor- when his fortunes would have improved.
  He was always very fond of music.
  
  Walters son, (my father, Ray Carter- another great music -lover) "inherited" the phonograph when my grandfather died in 1974,
  and specifically asked that it be offered to a museum on his own death.
  
  The phonograph has remained in the Carter family all it's life, it was cherished and probably well used in it's early years.
  
  
  .......... Peter and June Carter, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 27th of September 2010
  
  

A1463