Larry Toto wrote that his Edison phonograph "seems to have a broken
mainspring, a broken drive belt, and is missing the horn attachment.
There are no recorded cylinders.  Is there much hope of making this
thing whole again?"

YES!  All of these repairs are easily taken care of, and are probably
the most common ones that need to be done.  The spring is best done by
a professional, but the leather belt is a 10-minute repair.

Belt kits are available from Antique Phonograph Supply in NY and
others.  They also sell replacement horns.   Cylinders are readily
available in antique stores, flea markets, on ebay, etc.   For best
sound quality, you should also probably get your reproducer rebuilt.

What model Edison is your machine?  It should have name, etc. on the
metal plate on the bedplate.  Remember also: Edison machines are one of
three types: (1) plays only 2 minute cylinders, (2) plays both 2 and 4
minute cylinders (these have a 2/4 minute switch as well as either two
separate reproducers or a turnover type), and (3) plays 4-minute only,
usually with diamond reproducer, NOT to be used for wax cylinders!

Hope this helps!

Jim Canavan
cybrflash@aol.com