Donley Auction Day One

[Phono-Phan]

It was kind of the talk afterwards among some bidders that the Amberolas went dirt cheap. They didn't seem that bad at all condition wise. I didn't look closely at them though. There were a couple of online bidding wars also. One Edison diamond disk table top went for almost $2,000 after the buyers premium added. I don't have the lot number handy but will look for it later.

[rgordon939]

The Amberola B-1 lot numbers were 278 and 390.

Rich Gordon

[Damfino59]

The Edison B-19 went for $1600 in house.

The Amberola 75 for $750 is a early model. Single screw hold down for the reproducer, external speed control and serial #850. Oak and it's in excellent condition. And it's mine.

The B-1 I thought would of reached $2500 for the condition it was in.

[Phono-Phan]

The B-19 was lot number 361. I thought the bidding was between two online buyers so the hammer price of $1600 didn't include the 23% internet buyer's premium. That total would be $1968. Either way, this has to be a record price for one of these.

[GeorgeDixon]

The two Suitcase Standards were both in excellent condition. Both with fantastic early horns. One had a nice Automatic while the other had a nice surprise Speaker. The collection had approximately 10 early 14 inch seamless horns. Every one was in excellent plus condition with no dents or other expected flaws. You never see that many of the same type in such pristine condition.

[Slaton]

Looks like there were good reasons for the realized prices for the Amberola 75 and the suitcase standards...then, what would explain the giveaway prices on the B-1s, I wonder, even after accounting for space and weight issues. I could understand these prices for rare machines if the auction was below the radar and not a specialty one, but an auction by the Donleys wouldn't fit that profile.

Anil

[edisonphonoworks]

I notice looking through the prices, that most common machine it seems the value seems to be dropping unless a very nice original example. Nothing like prices during the mid 1990's.

[Ripduf1]

The seamless 14" horns were dent free because they were from a band organ with added elbows. They were protected most of their life inside the case of the machine. They were not H&S seamless phonograph horns. That is why they sold for what they did. The 24" seamless was H&S. John

[fran604g]

I'm wondering if someone here (or if someone knows whom) bought the early Edison Chippendale C 250 (SN 6096 -- lot #200) that had the B 250 mechanism in the cabinet, and the data plate mounted at the rear of the turntable compartment?

I'd like to be in contact with the person if possible.

Best,
Fran

[Phonolair]

I have to echo what Ken said.

Donley's did a great job with this auction. It was set up and displayed nicely, everything ran smooth and at a good pace all day(a long day).

My major buys was the Victor all brass morning glory pedal horn, the Columbia BY and matching record cabinet, and the early oak Victrola XIV.

As with any auction there were some real buys and a few crazy high bids.

My take on the prices overall was the outside horn Victor stuff was soft. The upright floor models did good I thought, most were in pristine original condition with bright clear finishes.

Overall the prices seemed soft but I think most bidders were keeping the 15%/18% in house buyer fee in mind, I know I was.

Larry Crandell