Rare Edison Opera Cylinder Phonograph with Cygnet Horn

The Edison Opera is among the rarest and most desirable cylinder phonographs produced by the Edison company in the early 1900s. Made in far smaller numbers than Edison’s more familiar models, it was conceived as a premium machine and represented some of the company’s most advanced phonograph engineering. Its limited production and distinctive design make surviving examples especially sought after by collectors today.

Unlike conventional cylinder phonographs, the Opera holds its reproducer stationary while the mandrel moves the rotating cylinder beneath it. This ingenious arrangement allows the large Cygnet-style horn to remain securely in place during operation. The mechanism is gear-driven rather than belt-driven and also features an automatic stop.

The phonograph is housed in a handsome mahogany case with molded trim and a removable domed lid with carrying handle. Rising above it is a graceful 37-inch mahogany horn, whose sweeping profile and rich finish beautifully complement the case.

This rare Edison Opera has been fully restored and includes ten cylinders and a one-year warranty.

Case: 11″ High x 18″ Wide x 12″ Deep

Horn: 37″ High

Circa 1910