The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone remember during the recession period of 2007-2009, when Edison Diamond Discs in the 52000 series were fetching over 100.00 each in bidding wars on eBay? I wonder why this phenomenon happened, especially when people were losing homes?

I would assume that some might have been forced to sell off their collections and others start to fight over their items. Large-scale recessions have been always abused to further extend the gap between poverty and wealth. So, some deep pocket collectors are always around and it just takes two of them to fight over something.

However I am more convinced that the biggest ongoing change is in the machine market. Many of the five or even six digit price tags have been growing and growing over the past 20 years. It has been almost like an investment bubble. But most average collectors are not going to be able to afford this, especially future generations. So these machines will eventually turn into items that will be become hard to sell. Eventually I do see a trend that leads towards more realistic prices, something that can be seen as a quite positive development for better affordability.

Rumor at the time was that there was a wealthy woman who was trying to obtain a pristine copy of every 52000-series Edison Diamond Disc record for her husband. Try as they might, no one was able to outbid her, leading to some of those exorbitant prices. The high prices may also have been responsible for some of the rarest copies, which deserved high prices, being pulled out of collections.

Actually, good DDs can still fetch over $100. I just paid about $127 for this 1929 52506 DD on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLDEN-GATE-OR ... true&rt=nc

I paid a lot of money, but luckily, it turned out to be a great, but not very well known record. The flip side, I'll Never Ask for More, is even better than the Sweethearts on Parade side! And, no, you won't find it on Youtube.

marcapra wrote:Actually, good DDs can still fetch over $100. I just paid about $127 for this 1929 52506 DD on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLDEN-GATE-OR ... true&rt=nc

I paid a lot of money, but luckily, it turned out to be a great, but not very well known record. The flip side, I'll Never Ask for More, is even better than the Sweethearts on Parade side! And, no, you won't find it on Youtube.

And I have 2 copies. Wish I had known! Dang, I haven't seen Tom Bumbera selling on eBay for a few years. I need to keep a better eye out!

marcapra wrote:Actually, good DDs can still fetch over $100. I just paid about $127 for this 1929 52506 DD on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLDEN-GATE-OR ... true&rt=nc

I paid a lot of money, but luckily, it turned out to be a great, but not very well known record. The flip side, I'll Never Ask for More, is even better than the Sweethearts on Parade side! And, no, you won't find it on Youtube.

I would love to hear it on You Tube.

marcapra wrote:Actually, good DDs can still fetch over $100. I just paid about $127 for this 1929 52506 DD on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLDEN-GATE-OR ... true&rt=nc

I paid a lot of money, but luckily, it turned out to be a great, but not very well known record. The flip side, I'll Never Ask for More, is even better than the Sweethearts on Parade side! And, no, you won't find it on Youtube.

Yes you will, at least the "I'll Never Ask" side! It's been on my channel for about 2 years now:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbdvd0act9g[/youtube]

Well, I stand corrected, at least for this side! Thanks 52! Marc.

Gatyam wrote:Rumor at the time was that there was a wealthy woman who was trying to obtain a pristine copy of every 52000-series Edison Diamond Disc record for her husband. Try as they might, no one was able to outbid her, leading to some of those exorbitant prices. The high prices may also have been responsible for some of the rarest copies, which deserved high prices, being pulled out of collections.

That's the type of woman I need to meet to assist in increasing my collection...the heck with these 'starving artist' hipster Janes with their "vinyl."