Visually stunning and extremely rare, the Idelia is the ultimate Edison phonograph among today's collectors. Introduced in late 1907, it was an attempt by Edison to break into the luxury market. (Edison phonographs had strong appeal in rural areas but were less popular among affluent urban customers.) The Idelia was priced at a lofty $125 (versus $25 for the immensely popular Edison Standard), a sum which represented nearly three months income for an average white collar worker. The cabinet was made of heavy mahogany, and the bedplate and other metal parts were finished in copper, with free-form oxidized patterns which lend it a very unusual, elegant appearance. Although sales were very small it remained in the line until 1910, by which time the even more expensive Amberola 1A was available. Very few Idelias have survived, and of those that exist even fewer remain unrestored.

I acquired this Idelia in May, 2000 from George Frow, an acknowledged authority on Edison phonographs and author of many books, including "The Edison Cylinder Phonograph Companion," an essential reference for any collector. (This Idelia is pictured on pages 172-173 of his latest edition.) Frow had purchased the machine from the original owner in 1956, and it was his most prized phonograph -- the only cylinder phonograph he retained when the rest of his collection went to the sound archives of the British Library in 1985. (Sadly, George Frow died in late 2002.) With only two owners in 92 years, Frow's Idelia had been particularly carefully maintained and is in exceptional condition today.

An early example of the Model B, this Idelia was exported to Bristol, England in 1908, where it was purchased by the original owner, George Gallop. Originally made as a 2-minute phonograph, later that same year it was converted to play the new 4-minute Amberols. In 1910 Gallop upgraded it to a horizontal reproducer carriage with Model 'O' reproducer and mahogany 'cygnet' horn, keeping it up to date with the later Model D Idelias.

The rarity, condition, and unique provenance of this very special phonograph make it one of the most significant machines in this collection.