Featured Phonograph № 131 - Opera House Phonograph

[Jerry B.]

The featured machine in this thread is nothing less than marvelous and one of the most interesting talking machines I've ever seen. If you ever get tired of it or need your money back, you've got my number. A promise...

Jerry Blais

[tomb]

The featured machine in this thread is nothing less than marvelous and one of the most interesting talking machines I've ever seen. If you ever get tired of it or need your money back, you've got my number. A promise...

Jerry Blais

I will second that it is a unusual, highly desired, beautiful machine. I do not think the exact age is a determent to this collectable.. It sounds great too. It looks like it could fit in a museum . Does the windows light up ??? maybe some Edison xmas lights. Tom B

[estott]

I'm afraid that Soundgen has the typical British collector's viewpoint - anything that isn't sanctified by received wisdom is "a bit of old tat".

Of course we're not much better over here- something that isn't one of the three top makes is "off-brand rubbish"

[fran604g]

While this isn't in my realm of collecting, I can still appreciate the workmanship and attention to detail. I have bought phonographs and clocks from collectors who have had work done with a note of when bought repaired, etc. However, to bad mouth someone's prize phonograph is totally wrong. If you don't have anything nice to say about someone's machine, keep your damned mouth shut. The purpose of this Forum is to help and educate other collectors. We don't need this bilge to ruin the Forum. I for one appreciate it.
Harvey Kravitz

Hear, Hear! And Amen.

Best,
Fran

[phonolady]

Dan,
We agree with Jerry, this is one of the most unique and exceptional phonographs

we have ever seen. It is super cool and outstanding. If you ever get tired of it

we will be right in line to take it off your hands. Of course, your oil painting of Caruso

really needs to go with this if you sell, to keep opera things together. I guess we are in line right after


Jerry, so let us know.

Congratulations and all the best,

David & Lerria

[CarlosV]

The machine does not date from 1988 and there was never anything posted that said that. What was said is that is was serviced by someone in Portland in 1988 and they put a piece of newspaper under the motor to collect grease and oil. As is clearly stated it is from the late 20s or early 30s and there is nothing to dispute about it. A lot of collectors have seen this machine in person at this point and they all agree with the age.

I agree with the statement about the age. Actually, utilizing the theory of the simplest theory to retain the truth, all parts are from the 20s and 30s, and the similarities are evident with the Black Forest chalet gramophones made in the 30s with third party parts, including the absence of manufacturer labels. This is why I believe it is of German origin - and made in the 30s. And very well made. And until another one is found, unique. Melvin has all reasons to be proud of having this machine in his collection, including its good quality of sound reproduction.

[CarlosV]

The machine does not date from 1988 and there was never anything posted that said that. What was said is that is was serviced by someone in Portland in 1988 and they put a piece of newspaper under the motor to collect grease and oil. As is clearly stated it is from the late 20s or early 30s and there is nothing to dispute about it. A lot of collectors have seen this machine in person at this point and they all agree with the age.

I agree with the statement about the age. Actually, utilizing the theory of the most logic evidence to support the truth, all parts are from the 20s and 30s, and the similarities are evident with the Black Forest chalet gramophones made in the 30s with third party parts, including the absence of manufacturer labels. This is why I believe it is of German origin - and made in the 30s. And very well made. And until another one is found, unique. Melvin has all reasons to be proud of having this machine in his collection, including its good quality of sound reproduction.

[gramophone-georg]

The machine does not date from 1988 and there was never anything posted that said that. What was said is that is was serviced by someone in Portland in 1988 and they put a piece of newspaper under the motor to collect grease and oil. As is clearly stated it is from the late 20s or early 30s and there is nothing to dispute about it. A lot of collectors have seen this machine in person at this point and they all agree with the age.

I agree with the statement about the age. Actually, utilizing the theory of the simplest theory to retain the truth, all parts are from the 20s and 30s, and the similarities are evident with the Black Forest chalet gramophones made in the 30s with third party parts, including the absence of manufacturer labels. This is why I believe it is of German origin - and made in the 30s. And very well made. And until another one is found, unique. Melvin has all reasons to be proud of having this machine in his collection, including its good quality of sound reproduction.

I agree that this is likely an example of Black Forest craftsmanship. The little window that flips up to hide the crank hole is the sort of detail one would expect, in addition to everything else.

They style of work and detail level reminds me of a huge Black Forest cuckoo clock, and I wouldn't doubt that clock craftsmen made this.

[Jerry B.]

[

I agree with the statement about the age. Actually, utilizing the theory of the simplest theory to retain the truth, all parts are from the 20s and 30s, and the similarities are evident with the Black Forest chalet gramophones made in the 30s with third party parts, including the absence of manufacturer labels. This is why I believe it is of German origin - and made in the 30s. And very well made. And until another one is found, unique. Melvin has all reasons to be proud of having this machine in his collection, including its good quality of sound reproduction.

I believe Carlos is spot on correct. Jerry Blais

[Curt A]

I wonder if this phonograph is somehow related to a Chalet phonograph in the phono museum in Paris?
http://www.phonomuseum.paris