The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

which is more uncommon?? ....I hate the word rare ....although with these two.....might be ok

The School, by far.

I want both !...lol .I like the gun metal (or what ever it is called) finish....be interesting to see what the idelia goes for




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The School machine is more uncommon but it is possible that the Idealia is more valuable. What do others think? Jerry

Having been involved in this hobby for 54 years I agree with Jerry for sure.

Jerry is correct -- the School phonograph is much rarer, but less valuable. Rarity alone does not dictate value, that is set by demand. Some people find the School phonograph to be overly austere, and certainly less flashy than the Idelia. To my mind, that industrial look is one of the greatest features of the School phonograph.

I've been lucky enough to own both over the years. I miss the School phonograph far more than the Idelia.

here are pictures of my school machine .....(old ones when I first got it ) these are the same as i sent Rene for his data base
it is very “industrial” in apperance for sure ....iin the top picture is that a standard opera or a school machine??

I would drool for a School machine

when i aquired the machine it had no neck or horn ,now it has an original opera neck an original horn bell( it does have hanger holes though) ....I bought another whole opera to get an original neck so most of the time it has a wooden bell because it sounds better ! I would have expected it to be a bit noiser than a wood case but is is SOO quiet!! and runs for 15 mins on a wind ..... now to find a stand !....yea right

I bought an Idelia and a School the same year (maybe 10 or 15 years ago). Picked up both at Union. I sold the Idelia last year at the Donley Auction, but couldn't part with the School.

Jim Nichol