most valuable phonographs?

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brianu
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most valuable phonographs?

Post by brianu »

during a recent conversation with a friend of mine, he was shocked at what I'd paid for a couple of my machines. this lead to a discussion of just how much some of the very rare, very expensive ones (far beyond anything I have) tend to sell for these days on the market, at shows or auction, etc. and that got me curious as to what some other people here might consider to be, say, the top five or so most valuable phonographs out there these days - american or european, disc or cylinder, whatever. might anyone have any thoughts?

gramophoneshane
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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by gramophoneshane »

I dont really keep an eye on prices of the expensive stuff because I know I'll never afford them :), but my guesses are-
Important manufacturers Tinfoil machines.
Auxeto gramophone/ Auxetophone
Pathé Concert model no.3
Hexaphone
followed by Edison's Class M/ Ideal/ Polyphone type price range machines.

Strictly a guess though. There's probably others wedged in amoung these as well.
Last edited by gramophoneshane on Tue Nov 15, 2011 1:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

JohnM
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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by JohnM »

Multiphone
Moorish-marquetry L-door XVI
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gramophone78
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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by gramophone78 »

The K&R Berliner talking doll..... :)

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briankeith
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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by briankeith »

I would say one of the original Edison Tin-Foil machines if you can actually find one for sale ????

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MTPhono
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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by MTPhono »

These are machines that are expensive and not easy to find but somewhat attainable (attainable = I have had the opportunity to purchase or trade for each one of these of the past 20 years).

(not in any particular order)
1. Original tinfoil
2. Bell-Tainter
3. Auxetophone
4. Class M
5. odd ball and early coin-ops (Multiphone, Edison Ajax)

Of course there is the uber-rare stuff like water driven Edison, treadle Graphophone, and others that are so far from reality for me that I do not even consider them in my sphere.

Guest

Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by Guest »

[quote="gramophone78"]The K&R Berliner talking doll..... :)[/quote]

That's a doll, not a phonograph ;)

Jerry B.
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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by Jerry B. »

How about the military version of the spectacle phonograph? Jerry Blais

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Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by Guest »

Edison C-1 combination? the last one sold considerably exceeded the price of a "common" (?!!) Class M machine.

then there are always the Ideal and Idelia machines, which seem to hover in the mid-twenties these days, don't they?

toomanyphonos

Re: most valuable phonographs?

Post by toomanyphonos »

I had the opportunity to pick up a Edison Diamond Disc military machine a few years ago for $ 300.00 in nearby town from me, but it was winter, cold blizzardy outside, and money was tight for such a ugly machine...well it turns out someone bought it, and i didnt realize that these are actually rare.

My guess on the obtainable machines are:

Outside Horn (Victor and Columbia)
Edison 78 rpm Portables (P-1 & P-2)
Victor Victrola VV 1-70
Victor Victrola VV 1-90
RCA Portable (Special model / John Vasso designed), I want one but they are over-rated for the price.
Edison Idealia / Opera / Early Amberolas

There are always some particular models of a common machine that will command a little more, such as front crank VV-50; VV-IV an VV-VI with the forward crank and motor used in early horn machines.

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