As
a collector of antique phonographs, I have found information from websites
and books.
Before venturing
out and buying a phonograph, I would suggest reading up and getting as
much information as you can about antique phonographs from websites as
well as books from your local library and book stores.
Scroll
down to see more photos of my machines...
Above
is a Edison-Bell Gramophone. This
machine was produced around 1908 in England.
It
has a one-spring motor, with speed control on the front of the box.
It
has the original debossed metal painted horn.
Works and looks great!
Below
is my United phonograph. It was produced in Wisconsin around
1919. United eventually were changed to what we know today as "Paramount".
It is really a large cabinet style machine with storage space with
a felt covered record rack. Like the Bruswick machines of that time,
it has a volume control knob on the back left side.
Below
is a Columbia Graphaphone, Model AT . It was produced in 1897
and played cylinder records rather than the flat records that were
produced by Victor Talking Machine Co. about 10 years later. It has
a diamond needle, similar to an early Edison graphaphone.
The
cylindar record eventually became extinct by 1910 as other companies
used the more popular flat discs. This change eventually put Edison
out of the phonograph business as Cylindar prices plummeted. Columbia
too suffered from overstock and over production of these records,
but learned and became an important record company that still exists
today.
Below
are two machines I own. The gramaphone on top is my English made
machine, Edison-Bell gramaphone sits
on top of my Columbia Grafanola (1920s). It is a cabinet
model similar to my Victor Victrola Orthophonic. The Columbia cabinets
had louvers that would open vertically or horizontally, to control
the volume of the music. This particular model has 4 vertical louvers.
Above
is my Brunswick phonograph. It was produced around 1920. The
reproducer has two different needles on it.
One to play regular 78's and another needle for Pathe records.
Some Brunswick phonos play Edison records as well.
The case is made of Mahogany.
Here
is my Edison S-19 which was produced in 1919.
The cabinet is made of Oak and the motor is a 1 spring.
The reproducer is a diamond needle that plays the thick 1/4"
Edison Diamond Disc records.
Edison
was put out of business by such corporations as Victor (bought by
RCA in 1929), Columbia and Brunswick.
Here
is my Victor Talking Machine Co. VICTROLA 4-8, made in 1926. It
has a Orthophonic reproducer and has a automatic brake system that
stops the record when finished.
I
have phonograph needles for sale!.
Loud, Medium or soft tone & Parts.
e-mail me to see what I have in stock!
Needles are Made in the USA.
I
accept PayPal as well.
Click on the PayPal logo to register for an account.
These
needles are used on most models from 1900-1936. Columbia, Victor,
Brunswick, Pathe, Sonora, United, etc. They are not made for Edison
as Edison players used a diamond tip for their special records.
NEEDLES:
I HAVE PHONOGRAPH MULTI-PLAY NEEDLES! LOUD, MEDIUM AND SOFT TONE
NEEDLES FOR YOUR ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH THAT PLAY STANDARD 78'S.
LEATHER
BELTS: I HAVE LEATHER BELTS FOR YOUR GRAMOPHONE. THEY ARE LEATHER,
18 INCHES LONG AND 1/4 INCHES WIDE. USED ON ALL CYLINDAR PHONOGRAPHS
THAT HAVE THE LEATHER BELT.
PATHE
STYLUS: I ALSO HAVE PATHÉ STYLUS "SAPPHIRE" TIPPED
NEEDLE FOR YOUR PATHE OR BRUNSWICK PHONOGRAPH THAT USES THE SAPPHIRE
NEEDLE FOR PATHE RECORDS. Click
here to email me
KNOBS:
I ALSO CARRY VICTOR VICTROLA CHROME CABINET KNOBS. 2 KNOBS &
SCREWS IN THE SET. Click
here to email me
I
AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PARTS... SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ONE SPECIFIC
PART, EMAIL ME AND I MAY HAVE IT FOR YOU. I ACCEPT PAYPAL.COM
AND MONEY ORDERS.
BUY THIS BOOK!
The Compleat Talking
Machine is a very good book to own.You can buy it on Amazon.com
or find it on www.bn.com.
(about $25 or so)
This
book has lots of information on how to take care of and repair
your phonograph. As well as photos of different models that are
out there in the world of antique phonographs. The book sells
for about $25. It is a must have for any new phonograph
enthusiast.
Other
things in my store:
Water
slip Decals for your phonographs.
Contact me to see if I have what you need, in stock.
...and
more. Email me for more information.
BE
AWARE THAT THERE ARE SCAMMERS OUT THERE TRYING TO SELL REPROPUCTION PHONOGRAPH
AND GRAMOPHONES AS REAL ANTIQUES! SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF MY PAGE AND
SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS TOO! FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THESE FAKE REPRODUCTIONS
SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHEN BUYING!
MY
NOTES AS OF FEBRUARY 2004:
The latest trend in phonographs is that they are coming out of Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Japan and the Middle East countries such as Iran, Iraq, India,
Egypt and Syria. Most of these sellers will list their phonographs as
"Rare", "Antique", and "Ancient". You will
see these sold on most online auction sites... be aware!
Please
be aware that most of these countries see the potential of running a business
of making fake or using reproduction pieces and selling the unknowing-buyer
their pieced together phonographs.
I have been seeing a lot coming out of Hong Kong and China province for
some time now. Most list them as "Ancient", but in reality,
they are pieced-together phonographs made to look old and are really not
worth the money you spend to have it shipped to your parlor. I can bet
on it, you will not be happy with one of these phonographs once you get
it to your home and start inspecting it. If it were up to me, save your
money, look locally and always educate yourself before actually purchasing
an antique phonograph. It is worth your time and your money.
Scroll
down for more free information!
WARNING!!!
Do your homework before buying a antique phonograph!!!
(See
below for more info on fakes and reproductions)
WATCH
OUT FOR FAKES, REPRODUCTIONS
& PIECED-TOGETHERS!!!
Be aware that
there are dishonest people out there that are trying to sell these machines
as "antiques" and as actual "collectors". I see
this happening most on a reputable auction site online. So be aware of
what you are buying and ask the seller questions. I have seen buyers who
were not aware of this and bought these machines for a lot more than what
they are really worth, thinking they were getting a real antique machine
for a great price.
A real antique gramaphone
with horn usually sells for $1,000 or more depending on the model and
make. Those with wooden horns sell for nearly $5,000 at times. Cabinet
models sell for $300 and above depending on their make and model as well.
Edisons are selling for about $300 and above.
HIS MASTERS VOICE
has nothing to do with Victor Victrola (Victor Talking Machines)
even though they use the same type of logo, Nipper and the Gramaphone.
HMV logos are a sticker and not an actual metal serial tag. These HMVmachines
are made in India and Pakistan for pennies. They are made out of old abused
portable phonograph pieces and are pieced together to make them look like
an authentic horned phonographs. They sell for cheap in China, Japan,
Europe and other Middle East countries. Unfortunately, they have made
their way to the USA from Europe and people are selling them listed as
ANTIQUES, RARE or ANCIENT. To the unknowing buyer, these are really just
a piece of junk made to look real old.
Be aware that
real Victor Talking Machine Victrolas have a metal plate on every machine
with a engraved serial number and the model make. The photo below is a
picture of the label that is on all repro HIS MASTER VOICE gramaphones.
Please be aware
there are pieced together machines out there as well, and we call them
Frank-N-phones, derived
from Frankenstein. These machines are pieces of many other old phonographs
to make one. See the link below for more info on Frank-n-phones.
If
you see this label on a machine, then it tells you it is a reproduction
and not worth a lot of money.
Other ways
to tell if it may be a reproduction or fake:
The
crank sticks far out from the box.
The crank sticks out at an angle.
The seller lists it as "Rare" or "Hard to
find", always ask them questions!
It has a brass horn that is painted. Brass was very expensive
and wouldn't have been painted over.
It says, HIS MASTERS VOICE on the logo with color.
The reproducer looks cheap or covered with metal.
The decal is cut off or missing parts of it.
FAKE!!!
To collectors, this reproduction has NO collector value
and are known as "Crap-O-Phones". I would not spend more
than $65 for this machine. If you do, you will feel "taken
for a fool" when you get it and see how "cheap" it
really feels and plays.
This photo above is what is knows as "His Masters Voice",
which are made in Pakistan and India, are reproductions to look
old. Be aware that there are fakes coming from China! They have
learned there is money to be made and they can do it by making these
fake machines too!
Please save your money and buy a real antique Victrola or phonograph.
There are many styles to choose from, but please do your homework
before buying anything. A total inspection is important.
To
see more photos of phonographs,
click below
Please do not
ask me to appraise your phonograph. All phonographs are unique and in
different conditions. Please refer to books at your local library, online
and books available at Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com)
and at www.Amazon.com
for antique phonograph books. thanks!
CONTACT ME
I
hope this website was helpful? I would love to hear from you and know
if this website helped you in making the right decisions in your phonograph
search!
Also:
a tip for people who want to sell their phonograph and have them on
display at a tore or consignment shop. Hide the Reproducer and the crank
as these two parts can be taken off and stolen! These parts can be hard
to find and expensive so please hide them or put them in a locked case!
This happens all too often!