What of this weirdness?

[winsleydale]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-columbia-p ... 2518.l4276

Here's what the seller says:

Reserve is $1000.00. I am only aware of two of these in the world. It is Columbia's "Adam P-3" model. Beginning in 1917 this gorgeous phonograph was marketed toward the well to do. As described in the book "Columbia Phonograph Companion Volume II," it featured a black lacquer cabinet decorated with painted festoons and groups of flowers. It accommodated 140 records on shelves behind the curved panels. It was said to be modeled after a chest from about the year 1770. The price was raised for a new model to $700.00 in 1920, then reduced to $600.00 in 1921. Like all Columbia machines of the period, the motor was turned on and off by moving the tonearm towards or away from the record. This phonograph does not have the cord to plug it in. But even if it did, it should have been replaced before plugging in. These electric motors were practically bullet proof. About the only thing that went bad was the cord would fall apart. Any questions, feel free to call 919-404-8206. The pictures of the top are not representative of what the top truly looks like. The appearance of the Columbia is far better in person than in the pictures. Please call to discuss payment options. I don't accept what ebay wants me to accept. This is for pickup only. I am 35 miles from I-95 in NC. I might be able to drive a bit to meet for gas money. But not sure. Please keep watching for more Edison, Victor, Victrola, Sonora and Columbia items, as well as music box discs of many sizes.I will also be listing a Victor orthophonic reproducer, many Berliner records, a Victor 6 long throat reproducer, and many other rare and unusual accessories. Thanks for reading.

What say you, Forum?

[Jerry B.]

I say it's a spectacular art model Grafonola. If it were an art model Victrola, people would be all over it. It should be worth really good money. Jerry Blais

[Valecnik]

I say what Jerry says.

[Cody K]

I believe this has been listed on eBay twice before recently, getting bids that haven't even come close to the reserve. Bids have started at $50, which is odd when the seller has a thousand-dollar reserve and says so. That's a long upward climb. I agree with Jerry (and with Bruce's agreeing with Jerry).

It's a beautiful machine, definitely qualified to be called an art model, and if it were nearer to me and I had more ready cash than I do now, I might be interested in it. Maybe the location has something to do with its remaining unsold, but I think the seller might do better and have more realistic bids if he/she started the bidding at something closer to, say, $750 than $50. The low bids, in this case, seem to accomplish nothing at all.

[FloridaClay]

If I had the spare cash and some room for it, I would be off for North Caroline to pick it up in a heart beat. Needs some restoration here and there, but it looks like it is all intact.

Clay

[Phonofreak]

I think the buy-it-now price is really a good deal. I don't know about the "only 2 known claim", though. The finish on the cabinet is beautiful. So are the painted decorations. If I had the money, space, and ability to pick it up, I would, too.
Harvey Kravitz

[De Soto Frank]

It's "intact", but the finish has significant alligatoring on the exterior surfaces, and there's definite pot-metal disease with that little "lantern" inside in the corner...

Shouldn't the reproducer head be gold-plated as well ?


Ironic how these beasts all got multiple coats of varnish because "it was a durable finish", but 80 years down the road, that varnish has become a crackled "millstone around the neck" of the restorer / conservator ...


Not saying that this is not a rare and / or valuable machine, but it has its issues....

[FloridaClay]

First thing I might try would be to find an inconspicuous corner some place and try a little 0000 steel wool and denature alcohol on the finish, with gentle rubbing--provided there is a coat of varnish or shellac over the painted decorations.

Clay

[Uncle Vanya]

I think the buy-it-now price is really a good deal. I don't know about the "only 2 known claim", though. The finish on the cabinet is beautiful. So are the painted decorations. If I had the money, space, and ability to pick it up, I would, too.
Harvey Kravitz

I've seen several, and have owned one myself. When I sold it it went for a good deal more than $1250. That said the machine is not only rare, but it is famous, as it was featured on Columbia record sleeves which turn up very often.

This example is missing its grille, which would have been backed with shirred silk cloth. It also appears that the hinges on the sliding door that covers the hirn are broken. Even so, this would be an easy restoration.

The painted decoration can be restored as one would an oil painting, cleaning the varnish with a mixture of turps and alcohol very slowly and gently, and the re-varnishing.

[De Soto Frank]

The painted decoration can be restored as one would an oil painting, cleaning the varnish with a mixture of turps and alcohol very slowly and gently, and the re-varnishing.

Sounds like a job for a professional art conservator, rather than basement / garage hobbyist ?

( Speaking for myself, if I were to acquire said machine, I wouldn't even think of touching that finish... )