1888 TIN FOIL? French Ducretet?

[ambrola]

Kurt Nauck looks like he found a treasure?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/French-Ducretet ... Track=true

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[TinfoilPhono]

It's the real deal, by Ducretet, not Fondain. The condition is a bit rough but it's authentic and a great rarity.

Here's the rundown on Ducretet.

I'd date Kurt's slightly earlier than mine, based on the mandrel design (which is reminiscent of the preceding Fondain machines).

Unfortunately the deep dent at the end of the mandrel would make this usable for actual recording (well, possibly the first part of the mandrel might work) but it's still a very important machine that dates to the earliest years of the phonograph.

[fmblizz]

Where is this dent located, I can't seem to find it with these weary eye's.

blizz

[HisMastersVoice]

Where is this dent located, I can't seem to find it with these weary eye's.

blizz

Photos of the dent can be seen in the additional eBay photos:

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[TinfoilPhono]

I'm stunned at how low the bidding went. This wasn't the finest example around, but the last one on the market (admittedly in stunningly mint condition, one of the finest known) sold for $30K. I figured this would sell for $20K, which I'm guessing was the reserve.