Your thoughts on shows?

[FloridaClay]

Went to my first phonograph show yesterday, at Orlando, and enjoyed it very much. I also hear a lot on this board and some others about the Union show. Am curious as to your thoughts about:

1. How Union and Orlando compare.

2. Are there other good eastern US shows?

Clay

[phonophan79]

The phono show in New Jersey is called the Mechanical Music Extravaganza. It's held twice a year in Wayne, NJ. I've been going since around 2006.

I've never been to other shows, so I'll let other members do the comparisons you're asking about.

The Wayne show always has its "day before parking lot meet".
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=4900

and here are pics from the last show itself
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=7051

I always find the shows to be a great time, great gathering of the hobby... hopefully it spreads the hobby. I'm sure other people's personal experience will differ here but of the 6ish years that I've been going... I've bought a handful of little things and only one ever actual machine.

[phonogfp]

I've never attended the Orlando show, but I've been going to the various NJ shows and Union since 1980. I agree with Phonophan79 that the shows are fun and provide opportunity to talk with other like-minded individuals. On the flip side, the shows aren't what they used to be, but then what is?

I've found some nice things at the Wayne show over the years (I've been going since 1999), but for me - - and I stress for me - - it isn't really worth the trip unless we can stay with our daughter in Brooklyn. That way, even if I find nothing I "need" at Wayne, the weekend still won't be a bust because we'll have fun with her. However, if I was in earlier stages of collecting, I'd definitely make the trip every time. There's nothing to compare with actually seeing items, holding them in your hand, and studying them in person. Plus, if you're looking for records, you can file through thousands of them.

The annual show & sale hosted by the Antique Phonograph Society (formerly CAPS) in Los Angeles each August is a quality show. I've only attended a few years, but I've come home with nice things each time. I only wish it were closer! Still, every year I hear of great stuff appearing there, and sometimes for very, very reasonable prices.

Union is in a class by itself. It's still a 10 hour drive for me, but I simply cannot miss it. Each year, I've come home with something that made the trip worthwhile. Things seem to pop up at Union that just don't appear anywhere else. I don't quite know why - I could guess, but they're only guesses. In any event, if I could make only 1 show each year, Union would be the one. But why limit oneself?

In short, if I were to remove from my collection everything I found at shows, there would be a serious depletion - - perhaps by half. I recommend them...as long as you all stay behind me!

George P.

[barnettrp21122]

I just returned to Maryland from the Orlando show.
My opinion is influenced by the fact that I wasn't looking for any big-ticket items, needed no parts for my existing machines, and hoped to maybe pick up some interesting small accessories or records. I came away disappointed. Many dealers seem to have the same price stickers they used from the last decade, with an oak Opera at 6500.00 and a mahagony one for 7500.00. There was a nice-looking floor model 15" double-comb short bed Reginaphone with two horns, one nickle and the other what looked to be a Don Gfell reproduction, with a price tag of $12,000.00. I saw only two Vic V's with oak horns, and no Vic VI's.
Record selection was poor, in my opinion, and much of the stock I looked at was in worn condition.
It seemed to be about half the size of the Wayne show, with very little of the crowded isle excitement one gets there and at the Union show, which, in my opinion is the best I've seen. Old-timers says it's not what it used to be, but then, again, what is?
The August CAPS show was interesting, with probably the most reasonable prices, since nearly all the buyers are seasoned collectors, and know the current market value of things.
Attending the last Stanton's auction in November was an eye-opening experience. You get an idea of how much common stuff is still out there, and how the market prices of even high-end machines has gone down. The exception, as always, are the truly rare and desired machines that seem to have maintained value.
Bob

[Jerry B.]

DeeDee and I flew from Oregon to Orlando for the show. I should qualify that statement. I went to the show. DeeDee shopped. I thought it was a very nice local show. I saw some terrific things including a spring driven coin-op Edison based on the Standard. There was also an upright Edison coin-op based on the Class M works. (Forgive me, I'm still in Florida and don't have the Frow book to check the names of these machines.) The one based on the Edison Standard sold. I don't know the amount of the sale price but the asking price was around $6500. That's a rare machine. There was also a ratchet wind Berliner, a Trademark Berliner (it sold in the $4000 range - all original), a really sweet and very early Spring Motor, three rigid arm Victors (two Ms and a MS), an Amberola 1-A (with matching numbers), and there was one Vic VI that showed up Saturday. Some items that found new homes included a Col BY, a Col AH, a Col BG, and many more common items. I bought some of the phono parts for a Reginaphone project and was delighted. I also bought some Vic II parts that will appear in the Trader sections when I get home. Overall, it was a good show. Prices were reasonable and everyone was friendly. I'm glad I attended. Jerry Blais

[wjw]

I went to Orlando too. It's smaller than other shows and understandably so, but great for us that live down here! I want to point out that shows are a wonderful venue to sell down one's collection and that's what I did this year - a first for me. Now I have room and money to crowd my house again!
-One of the regular bigger sellers said he had his biggest Orlando sales this time.
-There was one Victor VI.
-I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Blais. If half of Oregon measures up to him, it must be a great place to live.
-Also met Tim Fabrizio, who was there the first day, etc,etc...I had a great time.

[JerryVan]

O.K., I'll add my unsolicited perspective. Of the major shows, I have only gone to Union. I first went approx. 1988 and ever since. I have always attended on Saturday because I'm too cheap to pay the early-bird fee. At my first visit, and ever since, while waiting in line for the doors to open, invariably someone will ask a person who got in on Friday, "How's the show this year?". Invariably, their answer is always, "No good, nothing interesting, it's not like it used to be, prices too high..." etc. In the old days, hearing this always made me feel disappointed. However, after a couple of years I came to the realization that the show was, (and still is), wonderful, with many great items that I can't begin to afford but that I at least get to see. There are also the items I do seem to afford which also makes it fun. Added to that, the camaraderie and the evening visit to Sanfillipo's makes it perfect.

[NEFaurora]

Went to the Orlando show this year for the 2nd time.. I went to last year's Orlando show for the first time. The venue was different than usual. Usually, The show is held in the Holiday INN, but since the catering room price doubled from previous years, The show organizers decided to move the show down the road south to the Rodeway INN which was not too bad, but almost impossible to find, and I live near Orlando if that tells you anything. There seemed to be a lot less dealers this year than last year, and I also noticed, Alot less good deals too. I don't understand, and it makes no sense.. People are still overpricing stuff from princing of the last decade- I agree with the above poster on that alot. You'd think that in this depressed economy people would be cutting prices...but no...I just don't get it. I will still attend next year, but it was definately not as good as the 2011 show of the previous year. I picked up a nice Amberola 30 machine..Real nice..and some good books. I always go home with something. My "buy" of the show. I look forward to next year's show, Hope it's better than the 2012 show was.

Tony K.

[phonojim]

I did not attend the Orlando show this year but I attended most shows and sold in three between 2002 and 2010. I think the new ownership and their pricing policies have had a negative effect on the show. The cost of a table went up 33% in 2010 and now, as of this year, there is no parking lot swap meet. Instead there is an early buyer fee. The parking lot sale on Friday was a lot of fun and a great advantage to dealers. Plus management still got the table fee because no one was allowed to sell in the lot unless they had signed up for a spot in the show. The need for the change of venue is obvious with such a rise in price but to eliminate the swap meet? It would have been nice if the new owners could have explained themselves to their long-time faithful clientele.

[barnettrp21122]

As much as I've enjoyed day-before parking lot setups, I believe that the lot owners have the final say in allowing the added activity, particularly when a hall is rented for Saturdays or Sundays alone, for example. The Wayne NJ show is always on a Sunday, but Saturday events by other groups are sometimes scheduled, affecting parking spaces and foot traffic for those patrons. I also believe that public sales on private property fall under the regulations of local jurisdictions, which can allow these events or not.
Bob