Union Phonograph Auction

[gramophone78]

Can anyone please explain why a Canadian Berliner "F" sold for $9500 + %....??????? . Maybe a typo and should be $950..?.
This machine is worth under $1000 and is far from rare. The plate is clearly stamped "F". Although, the house listed it as a "P". No such animal.
Is it because Oliver Berliner owned it..?.

I feel bad I sold my last one for $750 Canadian.. .

[stevel]

Some of those front mounts look like real bargains

[alang]

Some of those front mounts look like real bargains

Yes. I'm kind of glad I wasn't there, I would have come home with more machines than I can possibly fit in my house.

Surprised that the oak VV-X went for $250 and the crapophone for $110...

Andreas

[AudioAntique]

Among some rare and desirable items, the Donley Auction offered a large collection of many more commonly seen phonographs in various stages of condition. Many were "as found" parts machines, and a huge assortment of common Standards, Homes, and D-D models that needed attention to restored models with refinished, shiny, newly decaled cases. If some prices seemed low to those not in attendance, there may have been a reason for it besides the buyer's premium. Music boxes from another collection seemed to be in much better condition. However, not being a music box collector, I'll reserve additional judgement. As seen in the photos, the visual arrangement and display of machines was absolutely stunning when one entered the pavilion. You will also notice the rather sparse attendance of floor bidders. Although we didn't come home with much, this was an auction where I was glad to be present for first-hand inspection. Many large consoles, common machines and "rougher" items did not meet minimum or reserves. There are only so many Diamond Disc machines and Edison Standards that could be carried away! Any beginning collector would have found ample opportunity for expanding their inventory. It pays to personally support and attend the shows, auctions and events that promoters and dealers in this great hobby offer.

Rob

[Henry]

Hammer prices are listed when you click the link in the original post. To that you have to add the buyer penalty of 21%! John

Why is it called a "buyer penalty" anyway? What offense has the buyer committed to merit such a designation?

I guess I don't understand how this kind of internet auction operates, and I certainly won't be bidding or buying anything that way!

[stevel]

Hammer prices are listed when you click the link in the original post. To that you have to add the buyer penalty of 21%! John

Why is it called a "buyer penalty" anyway? What offense has the buyer committed to merit such a designation?

I guess I don't understand how this kind of internet auction operates, and I certainly won't be bidding or buying anything that way!

Pretty much terminology I think - all physical auction houses charge the buyer a commission fee percentage as well as the seller.
In the UK Sothebys charge as much as 25% buyer fee.

Steve

[barnettrp21122]

Hammer prices are listed when you click the link in the original post. To that you have to add the buyer penalty of 21%! John

Why is it called a "buyer penalty" anyway? What offense has the buyer committed to merit such a designation?

I guess I don't understand how this kind of internet auction operates, and I certainly won't be bidding or buying anything that way!

I agee with what Steve said.
Auction houses call it a premium and buyers call it a penalty. It's a way of getting more profit, both from the seller's commission and the buyer's additional payment.

Most auction houses impose a "premium" these days. Local country auctions sometimes still do not.

The added internet "premium" is for extra expense, I suppose, for online services, but adds extra profit beyond all that. Too high a premium is off-putting for experienced buyers, in my opinion.
Don't forget the 7 % tax added to everything unless you have a tax number or are an out-of-state bidder having the auction house ship. Things can get expensive fast!
Bob

[Henry]

Hammer prices are listed when you click the link in the original post. To that you have to add the buyer penalty of 21%! John

Why is it called a "buyer penalty" anyway? What offense has the buyer committed to merit such a designation?

I guess I don't understand how this kind of internet auction operates, and I certainly won't be bidding or buying anything that way!

I agee with what Steve said.
Auction houses call it a premium and buyers call it a penalty. It's a way of getting more profit, both from the seller's commission and the buyer's additional payment.

Most auction houses impose a "premium" these days. Local country auctions sometimes still do not.

The added internet "premium" is for extra expense, I suppose, for online services, but adds extra profit beyond all that. Too high a premium is off-putting for experienced buyers, in my opinion.
Don't forget the 7 % tax added to everything unless you have a tax number or are an out-of-state bidder having the auction house ship. Things can get expensive fast!
Bob

Thanks for the explanations!

[Kirkwood]

A church I attend has long owned a Gothic cabinet identical to that shown in lot 123 (which sold for a bargain price of $375, I think). As I left church today, I took a peek inside today, looking for signs of any Columbia anything that might still be there. The interior looked to be built as....just a cabinet. Just a single shelf inside, no decals or holes or markings of any kind, although curiously the inside top of one door bore a brass tag marked "Light-o-lier". It's curious, to me, that Columbia would have used nickel parts for such a machine when the trend at the time was for gold plated fittings for their upmarket models. Is this one at the auction a Columbia-marketed product, or a period custom installation, or a later collector's fantasy assemblage? That other polychrome Gothic Columbia is mighty impressive as well, but in that case it would appear more convincing as a product of the Columbia factory, even if they may have sourced the cabinet from an outside firm.

There were two similar cylinder record cabinets in this auction, both in mahogany veneer, with a single door over three interior pull-out trays (auction items #100 and #138). Were these sold as go-with matching cabinets for the Amberola V? I ask this because a collector friend had one under his V and I had forgotten what it looked like. He told me how unusual it was to get one, and when I said I was skeptical of the match, he pointed out how the door detail matched the grill cut-out detail on the V. Until this auction , I hadn't seen anything out there that fit his description.

[phonojim]

What penalty percentage were onsite buyers required to pay?

Jim