The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey Guys -

I wish I were close enough to grab this... but time, money, space... blah.

Craigslist seller asking price of $400 for player AND cabinet... which seems pretty decent for both pieces. IIRC, the B-80s on eBay usually go for $400+ alone.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/drh/clt/1090055050.html

For any of our members who live in the U.S., it might be worth noting that this price is almost definitely in Canadian dollars, and in U.S. dollars it would be $324.23, based on the current conversion rate that I used.

Has anyone driven a phonograph across the U.S.-Canada border? I’m vaguely curious if Customs asks any questions about that sort of thing...

— MordEth

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1914 Edison B-80 Diamond Disc Phonograph — $400 (Oshawa)

Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2009-03-24, 3:06PM EDT

Rare mahogany on top of a matching cabinet. The Edison B-80 is a single-spring, belt-driven machine, employing a Diamond B reproducer. Interesting facts: These phonographs are quite large: 17"H, 18.5"W, 23.5"D. This is one of the only Diamond disc machines that is belt driven. The B-80 was the first phonograph to be completed ten days after the December 1914 factory fire. This antique is in excellent condition and has been well maintained. Includes 7 Edison discs.

• Location: Oshawa, Ontario (Canada)
• It’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests.

Craigslist PostingID: 1090055050

Actually, I have driven to Canada to buy a machine once. It was probably in 2006/2007. I drove right up to the checkpoint. This was an upright cabinet lying on its back in the SUV and the agent saw it and asked what it was. I told him it's an antique record player and that I was a collector. He says "Oh, it's an old Victrola, I have one of those, go ahead". (even though it wasn't a "Victrola" brand) ...but if I got a younger agent who didn't know what a phonograph was, he might have waved me off to the side for an inspection.

that is such a nice set-up - I missed the chance to buy one of those locally once by just a day... someone else had come into the shop the previous day, the day they brought it in I think, and bought it right away... although I think the price was more like $600.

that would be a nice road trip, but I'm having trouble using mapquest to figure out directions from philadelphia to toronto (can't get it to take me into canada for some reason... although there appear to be several other toronto's in the US itself).

brianu wrote:that would be a nice road trip, but I'm having trouble using mapquest to figure out directions from philadelphia to toronto...

Brian,

I usually prefer Google Maps, which can get you there. They say that it’s a 481 mile (about 8 hour) drive.

I actually thought it would be further.

— MordEth

MordEth wrote:

brianu wrote:that would be a nice road trip, but I'm having trouble using mapquest to figure out directions from philadelphia to toronto...

Brian,

I usually prefer Google Maps, which can get you there. They say that it’s a 481 mile (about 8 hour) drive.

I actually thought it would be further.

— MordEth

nice... thanks... might be a workable road trip after all, even if the machine is gone by then (which with my luck, it probably would be).

MordEth wrote:Has anyone driven a phonograph across the U.S.-Canada border? I’m vaguely curious if Customs asks any questions about that sort of thing...

I've never driven one at all. I find even the largest quite uncomfortable to ride on and the castors wear out quickly.

More seriously, I don't think there'd be any trouble at the border and it is a nice machine for the price. WAY to far away for me though.

I don't think you have to pay any duty if you are bringing an item back into it's couuntry of origin. I just watched The French Connection last night, so I suppose you'd be OK as long as they don't check the rocker panels (or the spring barrels in this case)! LOL Anyone on the board ever cross the border at Rouse's Point, NY?
John M

Ah, the border at Rouse's Point! Brings back memories of trips to Montreal from when I was in college at SUNY Plattsburgh! I've crossed it dozens of times and brought back many cases of Molson Brador (from the duty free) in the process...I miss those days!

Sean

Oshawa is close to me , but I don't need another DD. The record cabinet is very handsome. These B-80's seem to have sold fairly well up here. I've seen several over the years, but this one seems to be in the best condition.

Jim