Original Aeolian Vocalion

[myswendy]

Hi,
I'm very new to this forum and am trying to find any information about my grandparents' Aeolian Vocalion. I also have the provenance from when they bought it for their first home when they got married. I cannot find ANY photos of what I have on the internet or any other information. It still works, and I have played records on it.

I am not well and I need to find a reputable appraiser who can come to my home to see it. I live just north of Dallas, TX. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can be an informed seller? HELP! Thank you!

[Orchorsol]

This looks very similar to those which turn up here in the UK occasionally. I believe there's one for sale on UK eBay at present - I'll have a look and post a link here later.

I saw an identical or very similar machine here in mid Kent around 15 years ago, where I visited to buy some of a collection of early records. The owner was a splendid old gent with that ex-military air, all blustery whiskers and with a name to match, one Mr Musker.

I think the value, such as it might be, is likely to be in the novelty shape or as a nice piece of furniture. They weren't great machines in terms of performance. They had a "Graduola" volume control on a cable you could withdraw from the cabinet (yours looks as though it may be missing - is that a hole below the side decoration in the middle?) but it was little more than a gimmick IMHO.

[Garret]

Interesting. I used to think this model was rather scarce, but a good number of these have turned up over the last few years.

Garret

[VintageTechnologies]

There is a radio/phonograph club in the Dallas area, the Vintage Radio and Phonograph Society. They conduct a huge annual auction where you could sell your phonograph. Visit their website and look up Jim Sargent, who is an auctioneer, he is honest and may be able to help you.

http://www.vrps.org/

[Orchorsol]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282306020116? ... EBIDX%3AIT

[OrthoFan]

That looks like the "Style L" illustrated in this ad, except for the leg "stretcher," which may have been added to later models:

SEE: https://books.google.com/books?id=hXFQA ... 22&f=false

I also found an online flipbook version of an Aeolian Vocalion catalog which I thought I'd post here, in case anyone's interested -- http://fliphtml5.com/lytc/hhsj/basic


HTH,
OrthoFan

[myswendy]

Thank you all for your replies! I cannot figure out how to answer individually, so let me just say that I will check out each reply and follow it up. I really need to sell this lovely old piece. Wish me luck!