Vintage Collection of 5 Edison Phonograph Miniatures. No. 94/200. Spain, 1977

Extraordinary vintage collection of five miniature Edison phonographs, handcrafted in Spain in 1977 by renowned Spanish miniaturist Manuel Olivé Sans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the invention of the phonograph (1877-1977). This exclusive limited edition consisted of just 228 handcrafted sets. Of these, only 200 were individually numbered and intended for private collectors, while the remaining 28 were reserved for museums and cultural institutions. Its historical significance is reflected in the original documentation, which states that the set designated with the letter "A" was accepted for inclusion in the collection of the Edison National Historic Site in the United States. The set offered here is number 94 and retains all five original miniatures, its elegant presentation case, the original illustrated booklet, and the certificate of authenticity personally signed by the artist. The five miniatures were made at a 1:4 scale and faithfully reproduce some of Thomas Edison's most representative phonographs, from his earliest experimental machines to the commercial models that helped transform the way people enjoyed recorded music at home. Manuel Olivé Sans worked primarily with wood and metal, recreating the shapes, proportions, mechanisms, and decorative details of the original machines with remarkable precision. The miniature wooden cabinets display beautiful finishes that highlight the natural wood grain, while the metal components feature carefully worked surfaces, gold-tone details, and tiny inscriptions. All five pieces are in very good condition. One of the most appealing features of this collection is the extraordinary attention paid to its mechanical details. Olivé Sans went far beyond reproducing the external appearance of these phonographs, carefully recreating numerous moving components. The cranks turn, the small doors open, and even the horns and other miniature components can be moved, faithfully recreating the mechanical details of the original machines on a reduced scale. Although these are decorative collector's miniatures and do not reproduce sound, the care with which they were made reveals the exceptional skill of their creator. It is particularly impressive to discover so many mechanical details in pieces of such remarkably small size. The collection includes five historic models: the Edison Improved Tinfoil of 1878, Edison Home Phonograph Model A of 1896, Edison Gem Phonograph Model A of 1899, Edison Standard Phonograph Model B of 1905, and Edison Concert Phonograph of 1906. Each miniature preserves the distinctive features of the machine it represents, from the primitive tin-foil-covered cylinder of the Tinfoil to the elegant wooden cabinets and horns of the later models. Particularly striking is the Edison Concert, with its long black horn ending in a beautiful gold-colored bell, supported by a small chain and a delicate curved metal bracket. Together, these five miniatures offer a fascinating look at the evolution of Edison's early sound reproduction machines in a remarkably compact format. Each miniature retains an original label on its underside, identifying the reproduced model, its historical date, the 1:4 scale, the artist's name, and the number 94. These labels establish that all five pieces belong to the same individually numbered collection, a particularly valuable detail for collectors. The set also includes its original certificate of authenticity, bearing Manuel Olivé Sans's stamp, his handwritten signature, and the explicit identification of collection number 94. The five pieces are housed in their elegant original red presentation case, with an interior specially fitted to hold and protect each miniature individually. The lid features the commemorative "Edison 1877-1977 Phonograph" emblem in gold lettering, adding an elegant finishing touch to the presentation. The case is in very good condition and retains its original metal clasps. Also included is the original illustrated booklet, written in Spanish and English, containing photographs of the models, historical information, and a biography of Manuel Olivé Sans. All these details make this a particularly well-preserved and carefully presented collection, both in the quality of the miniatures and in its original documentation. A magnificent collection for those who appreciate the history of the phonograph, early sound reproduction machines, and the art of fine miniatures. The beauty of the five reproductions, the precision of their small moving mechanisms, and the opportunity to admire several Edison models together in a single presentation case make this set especially appealing. Its excellent condition, limited-edition number 94/200, and original certificate personally signed by Manuel Olivé Sans add considerable interest for collectors. A complete, elegant collection filled with fascinating details, ideal for display, as a treasured addition to a collection, or as a truly special gift for anyone passionate about the history of music and technology. Measurements: Presentation case: 43.2 x 36.5 x 9 cm (17 x 14.4 x 3.54 in). History of Manuel Olivé Sans and the Phonograph Centennial Collection: Manuel Olivé Sans was born in Barcelona in 1924 and became one of Spain's leading specialists in the art of mechanical miniatures. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in building scale models, inspired by his family's tradition through his father, who made model trains. His exceptional craftsmanship and extraordinary attention to detail enabled him to develop techniques for reproducing complex machines in remarkably small dimensions. In 1948, he began working professionally on miniature motorcycles and automobiles, a field in which his work earned considerable recognition. His creations were distinguished by their remarkable faithfulness to the original models, incorporating numerous mechanical details that required a thorough understanding of how the machines operated and exceptional craftsmanship. A decisive moment in his career came in 1965, when the Spanish company Vieta commissioned him to produce fifty 1:4 scale reproductions of the famous "His Master's Voice" gramophone. The success of that series led him to develop a particular interest in the earliest sound reproduction machines, whose mechanical complexity presented a new challenge to his work as a miniaturist. To commemorate the centennial of Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph, celebrated in 1977, Olivé Sans created a special collection featuring five historic models developed by the American inventor. According to the original documentation, the project was the result of five years of research and work, during which he carefully studied the original machines to reproduce them as faithfully as possible. The edition was limited to 228 sets, all handmade. Two hundred were individually numbered for private collectors, while another 28 were intended for cultural institutions and museums and identified by letters. The original booklet states that the set designated with the letter "A" was accepted for inclusion in the collection of the Edison National Historic Site in the United States, an institution dedicated to preserving Thomas Edison's scientific and technological legacy. This collection is an extraordinary example of the combination of miniature artistry, mechanical craftsmanship, and the history of technology. Manuel Olivé Sans's creations make it possible to appreciate the evolution of Edison's earliest phonographs through beautifully crafted small-scale works that preserve the appearance, proportions, and much of the mechanical complexity of the original machines.