Who are we? C'mon--voice an opinion

[pughphonos]

I've been pondering for some time about the kinds of people who populate this forum. I've been active on it for over three years now, and find that there are three broad groups of folks to be found here. See if you agree; see if you identify with any; or suggest any sub-groups or alternate groupings!

1) The Collectors: "Collect to Own"
They collect for the thrill of comprehensive ownership and/or investment; they treasure early and unadulterated phonographs.

2) The Mechanics/Restorers: "Collect to Repair"
Those who collect to repair/restore; they like mechanical and woodworking challenges.

3) The Culturalists: "Collect to Play"
They collect phonographs as windows to the past; they play their machines more than the rest and also collect records for use; they like the later models as they sound better and are more versatile.

Now of course there can be overlaps between these groups. I find that the Mechanics and the Collectors are often in "alliance" as the Collectors are the ones who have the most comprehensive yet detailed knowledge of the entire range of antique phonograph production and the Mechanics often turn to them with questions about the machines.

The main threat to the Collector/Mechanic alliance is when the mechanics get a bit too ambitious and restore to a point where "original patina" (that ultimate value for collectors--who can afford to buy original machines in great condition) is compromised. Then they are banished and have to hang out with the Culturalists. An interesting example are those who work on creating new diaphragms for the Edison phonographs; the Culturalists love them, while the collectors and purists think they are bastardizing things that were "perfected" in the past.

The Culturalists are oftentimes on their own here and are in the minority as the Collector/Mechanic alliance is the majority. I myself am an unapologetic Culturalist.

Ralph

[fran604g]

No "preservationist/historian" category?
Fran

[pughphonos]

No "preservationist/historian" category?
Fran

Good one! They are either a subset of Mechanic/Restorer or Culturalist--determined on an individual basis. I think they're more Culturalist. What do you think? You think they deserve their own category? If so, flesh it out.

I'd argue that they are Culturalists as their main motive is that of the historian--and the historian seeks to restore a broad consciousness of things as they were in the past: when they were living, breathing, and not dried out museum artifacts. In that sense "preservationist" is a time traveler; not a collector of artifacts.

Knowing you personally, I know you are interested in original configurations and for you it's important to amass documentation as an important support to the artifact focus of the collectors.

You're an odd duck, Fran. Maybe you belong with the Collectors as a sub-set; they should perhaps be "Collectors and Documentarians" to include you. I didn't originally think of you being a part of that group as you usually don't post notices here like "Look at the Original 1888 Edison Perfected Phono I bought over the weekend with pocket change...."

[fran604g]

Well; I began my collection purely out of a fascination of "how does this thing work"? So from this perspective, I absolutely fell into the "mechanic collector" category. And this of course compelled me to perform "restoration" to some greater or lesser degree, to have my machines function properly.

But almost from the beginning I began to wonder "Why?" about the manner they were originally designed and manufactured. So many times, old things have been altered through the ages and we lose our understanding of the original intent behind an invention or technology. In my collecting "philosophy" it's as important for me to dig for the related artifacts related to a particular machine as it is to see, touch, or hear a machine. In fact, I really don't listen to them all that often, though I do enjoy that activity when I do.

Kind of like an archeologist or anthropologist, I suppose. Does this make me a "Culturalist"? If so, then: okay.

Best,
Fran

[pughphonos]

Well; I began my collection purely out of a fascination of "how does this thing work"? So from this perspective, I absolutely fell into the "mechanic collector" category. And this of course compelled me to perform "restoration" to some greater or lesser degree, to have my machines function properly.

But almost from the beginning I began to wonder "Why?" about the manner they were originally designed and manufactured. So many times, old things have been altered through the ages and we lose our understanding of the original intent behind an invention or technology. In my collecting "philosophy" it's as important for me to dig for the related artifacts related to a particular machine as it is to see, touch, or hear a machine. In fact, I really don't listen to them all that often, though I do enjoy that activity when I do.

Kind of like an archeologist or anthropologist, I suppose. Does this make me a "Culturalist"? If so, then: okay.

Best,
Fran

What you've just said does cement my emerging sense that you're a sub-set of the Collectors: original configuration and intent is key for you (your archeologist identity is far more important to you than being a sociologist). You initially seemed "Culturalist-like" in that you have a broad historical curiosity. But I now see that that's mainly in the service of documenting/discerning original configurations; also, I bet your restoration work is strictly mechanical (invisible) and not appearance-driven. Your statement that you don't play your machines all that often also shows that ultimately you're NOT a Culturalist after all.

That's OK; I still like you.

[fran604g]

I want you to know you're not the first person to call me odd. It's complicated...

Fran

[oldphonographsteve]

I feel like I would describe myself as a Collector/ Culturalist. This is because I collect my machines both for "comprehensive ownership" and for historical value and interest. I also enjoy collecting records just as much, simply because I like the music and enjoy having period records to play on my phonographs. I play my phonographs nearly every day. What is the point of owning phonographs without using them? They might as well be in a museum.

-Steve

[pughphonos]

I feel like I would describe myself as a Collector/ Culturalist. This is because I collect my machines both for "comprehensive ownership" and for historical value and interest. I also enjoy collecting records just as much, simply because I like the music and enjoy having period records to play on my phonographs. I play my phonographs nearly every day. What is the point of owning phonographs without using them? They might as well be in a museum.

-Steve

I think a "Collector/Culturalist" is a Culturalist who has much more money to throw around than the average Culturalist. You're well-enough off to be able to support two identities. I'm serious. Ultimately you're a Culturalist; you used the correct term as the root and "Collector" as its modifier. Your playing your machines nearly every day makes you a Culturalist without a shadow of a doubt; your final four sentences are key.

I think my categories/definitions are holding up well!

[oldphonographsteve]

I think a "Collector/Culturalist" is a Culturalist who has much more money to throw around than the average Culturalist. You're well-enough off to be able to support two identities. I'm serious. Ultimately you're a Culturalist; you used the correct term as the root and "Collector" as its modifier. Your playing your machines nearly every day makes you a Culturalist without a shadow of a doubt; your final three sentences are key.

I think my categories/definitions are holding up well!

I will agree with you completely except on the "a lot more money to throw around" part. That certainly isn't the case, although I wish it was!

-Steve

[fran604g]

I bet your restoration work is strictly mechanical (invisible) and not appearance-driven

Ralph, you've pegged me exactly.

To Steve's point about museums, if you'd ask those whom know me best, they would absolutely describe my home more as a museum than a house. I love relics.

Fran