Edison Diamond disc W 19

Can any one help me with information on a recent aquisition? It is a diamond disc machine with product number W19. It also has the Official Laboratory Model medalion inside. The machine is able to play both standard discs and long play but only has storage for 10 inch discs. Any info on date and whether it is an adapted machine would be greatly appreciated.

Is yours similar to the one described on this page?

FROM: http://www.mulhollandpress.com/EdisonWillMary.htm

Edison W-19 "William & Mary"

This particular Edison Diamond Disc instrument is noteworthy because it is equipped with the sort-lived Long Play mechanism. This was a system designed by Edison to play his new long playing records. It was offered as an option with many of the cabinet styles in the Edison catalog. Unfortunately, the system did not work very well, and the LP records did not sound as loud or clear as the standard Edison records. Behind the turntable can be noted a holder for the extra reproducer required for use with the LP system.

I know that the Long Play Edison Diamond Discs were only available for a short period, starting in 1926, but am not sure when the W-19 was produced, whether they were originally equipped with the LP attachment, etc. (You may also want to try your question at the The Online Edison Phonograph Discussion Board -- http://edisonphonos.proboards46.com/index.cgi )

I do know that the term "Official Laboratory Model" appeared on a number of models over the years--the C19 Chippendale, and the WMC-33, for instance. I'm not exactly sure what the significance of that is, but I've been told that models bearing the notice were equipped with the largest horn in production at the time--the same type used to test play records at the Edison factory--indicating that they were top of the line.

Spot on, Thank you so much. The grill on mine is a slightly different design and the cabinet is dark oak rather than mahogany which this one appears to be. Delighted to have found out a bit more about it!

The W19 was introduced in April 1919, & sold for $285 when originally released. It was originally the W250 in 1917, and was the second laboratory model after the Chippendale C250. The significance of a laboratory model was that they used the largest horn (No.250) & that they had a double spring motor. The W19 was only available in Mahogany & walnut, which must be what your cabinet is.
the LP mechanism may have been factory installed if this is a late 20's machine, or it was also available as an optional extra for existing machines.
All Edison cabinets will only have 10" storage compartments, as 10" records were all that were available to the public until the release of the long play system.
There were plans to make 12" disks right from the start, but this never came to be. In 1918 a price list was released for 12" records too, but still they were never pressed. Apart from a few 12" long plays, there were also some dealer demo type disks produced, but these are very rare.
It sounds like you've got yourself a very nice phonograph!

Hi Tom, I also own a W-19, but mine doesn't have the Long Play feature. What is the serial number on yours? That would be clue as to its age. Also, does it have the 10 and 12 keys? That means it is a later machine. I also have a WM-34 console that is very late. It has the 10 and 12 keys, and three more clues that indicate it is very late. It lacks the Edison Lab Medallion and never had one. Instead of the usual wooden cradle for holding the reproducer in the horn compartment, it has a triangular wooden support with a hole in it to hold the neck of the reproducer, and a hole in the floor to hold the front, similar to an Edisonic phonograph.

After more research I think it is safe to say mine is quite an early W19 and that the long play feature was a later addition. The record storage is a draw rather than verticle dividers. The medalion states, "The model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model", rather than the later shortened version. The machine does not have 10 and 12 buttons and has a different grill to pictures I have seen..a diamond pattern, possibly a replacement? The serial number is SM9244; any idea how many were sold? Nice to hear someone else has one!

It's just a guess, but I'd say if the ID tag says W19 & the lab tag says 250, it's probably a cross over W250/W19 machine from 1919. Very late diamond disc machines have 3 governor weights instead of 2, so I'm pretty sure yours will have 2, and the LP attachment was a later addition.
The diamond pattern grill may be from an A100 or B19?