The Edison Home Phonograph was very aptly named -- an early machine intended for widespread use in American homes. Previously the cumbersome Class M had been made primarily for business use, and although the 1895 Spring Motor phonograph was intended for home entertainment the heavy size and high price discouraged most potential buyers. The Home Phonograph with its small single-spring motor was first offered in late 1896, priced at $40 -- a significant sum at the time, but within reach of middle class families. The price later dropped to $30, and it proved to be a popular and durable seller with over 400,000 sold during the next 20 years.

This is a particularly early example with serial number 1456, made in the fall of 1897. It has several features that are unique to the earliest Homes, notably the small rest cast into the topworks to support the reproducer lift lever when the machine was not in use, the same screw-mounted reproducer clamps as the Class M, and the crank handle with a plate marked "National Phonograph Co." These details were discontinued by the end of 1897. It lacks the Edison signature trademark, which was first used at around serial number 2100. The all-brass mandrel is yet another early feature, by 1898 Edison Homes had nickel-plated mandrels.

This case style is called the "suitcase" model by modern collectors because of suitcase clips which hold the lid in place. The elaborate and colorful decal was placed on the lid of the machine until the improved Model A Home of 1901.

What makes this particularly unusual is the accessory Edison "Duplex" reproducer. The curious invention features a reproducer mounted a couple of inches above the stylus, with a long wire link. A separate L-shaped tube extends from the side to connect to a second horn, pulling sound from both sides of the glass diaphragm. The Duplex reproducer sold for a pricey $9 in 1897 and was not popular. Only five are known to exist today.

The arrow shows the small 'fingers' in the topworks casting designed to hold the reproducer carriage above the record when at rest. This was a completely unnecessary feature since the reproducer could readily be raised by simply lifting up the lever. Consequently the cast support was eliminated after about the first 1500 Homes.