phonograph key tassels...?

[USlakeside]

It seems that in the past, more things locked. Even kitchen sugar tins had locks. I would suspect that it had to do with the servants meddling. Even after a time when people had maids, it was probably a hold over from a time when the locking of an object signified some kind of status. Maids were likely to have a master set to keep other workers out of the cookie jar so to speak. In smaller households the housewife most likely held keys. It reminds me of fancy whiskey decanters with small locks on the corks.

[JohnM]

Commodities such as sugar, ink, etc. were very expensive back in the day, thus locking containers.

I have been working on two lock-related inventions: a chastity belt with a breathalyzer-activated lock, and a chastity belt with an IQ-test activated lock. Patents pending!

[TonyJ]

As an aside for the key discussion, I was floored to see Victrola keys going for a $99 buy it now price on eBay. Is this actually a fair price or just the typical overinflated eBay price? My VV-XI is missing it's key, but personally it's not worth $99 to replace it to me anyways.

[wjw]

As an aside for the key discussion, I was floored to see Victrola keys going for a $99 buy it now price on eBay. Is this actually a fair price or just the typical overinflated eBay price? My VV-XI is missing it's key, but personally it's not worth $99 to replace it to me anyways.

Usually the Victor "V" keys sell for between 20 to 30 dollars.

[Edisone]

When I see those tassels, I look around for the naughty cats who are about to use them as toys !

[Zeppy]

As an aside for the key discussion, I was floored to see Victrola keys going for a $99 buy it now price on eBay. Is this actually a fair price or just the typical overinflated eBay price? My VV-XI is missing it's key, but personally it's not worth $99 to replace it to me anyways.

I'm a cheap SOB....I never bid more than $10-15 for one...granted, I rarely win one, but I have picked up a couple over the years at that price rante. $20 to 25 I would think is a fair price. $99...just insane.

[brianu]

As an aside for the key discussion, I was floored to see Victrola keys going for a $99 buy it now price on eBay. Is this actually a fair price or just the typical overinflated eBay price? My VV-XI is missing it's key, but personally it's not worth $99 to replace it to me anyways.

I'm a cheap SOB....I never bid more than $10-15 for one...granted, I rarely win one, but I have picked up a couple over the years at that price rante. $20 to 25 I would think is a fair price. $99...just insane.

... unless of course it was one of those special keys that only came with the XX and other seriously upscale and pricey models. no way to know, though, unless the original poster is still following this thread and advise... now I'm curious.

[hillndalefan]

Above, there was a reference to keeping children out of the Victrola. The way I handled that one when my sons were little was to teach them how to play the machines properly. That way, they and I got to enjoy them together, and I had an automatic record changer whenever they were in the mood. That way, I never had a problem with them. I did, however, let them know to let me handle the wax cylinders---the indestructibles, etc., they played.