Tin Foil Phonograph on EBay

[briankeith]

201873180593

[Curt A]

It's a Hardy reproduction... it's nice, but I doubt it's worth $4,800...
However, that being said, I have no idea what these sell for either originally or in the current market...

[Jerry B.]

The sellers description says his machine was built for the 1877 Centennial. There was no 1877 Centennial. There was a centennial in 1977 celebrating the invention of the 1877 tinfoil machine. It may be an honest mistake but the description is clearly misleading. Be cautious. Jerry Blais

[Jerry B.]

The reply I received from the seller:


"New message from: wizardofmenlopark (491Turquoise Star)
hello jerry,
got your message. your not going to buy the phonograph so why waste my time sending a message ? "

My response to the above:

"If it were an original tinfoil machine made in the 1870's I would buy it. It was a friendly suggestion to clarify your listing and nothing more. How do I accomplish that without asking it as an eBay question? Your machine was built in the 1970's not the 1870's. How can I say this in a nicer manner? Just correct your listing please. I don't think I'm wasting your time. I'm trying to protect you from being a fraud because I think your mistake was an honest one and not actually fraudulent. Best wishes, Jerry Blais"

[Slaton]

Cool video demonstration, though! And the use of the aluminum foil tape is intriguing. The sound quality is quite good, I thought.

[Curt A]

The "Wizard of Menlo Park" is an interesting guy ... from his YouTube channel you can learn some unique ideas, like making a floor stand with PVC plumbing pipe or an Edison horn using a Crap-O-Phone horn, duct tape and a plastic funnel from WalMart...

[Jerry B.]

The listing clearly says it's a copy. Jerry B.

[FloridaClay]

The reply I received from the seller:


"New message from: wizardofmenlopark (491Turquoise Star)
hello jerry,
got your message. your not going to buy the phonograph so why waste my time sending a message ? "

My response to the above:

"If it were an original tinfoil machine made in the 1870's I would buy it. It was a friendly suggestion to clarify your listing and nothing more. How do I accomplish that without asking it as an eBay question? Your machine was built in the 1970's not the 1870's. How can I say this in a nicer manner? Just correct your listing please. I don't think I'm wasting your time. I'm trying to protect you from being a fraud because I think your mistake was an honest one and not actually fraudulent. Best wishes, Jerry Blais"

Your message was apparently taken to heart Jerry. The listing now shows it as a repro.

Clay

[gemering]

Jerry,

Maybe this should be in a PM?

You could not have stated your intention to help more eloquently or in a kinder tone.
I don't know how anyone could take exception to your observation and subsequent suggestion.

Gene

[gramophone-georg]

Jerry,

Maybe this should be in a PM?

You could not have stated your intention to help more eloquently or in a kinder tone.
I don't know how anyone could take exception to your observation and subsequent suggestion.

Gene

Agreed. Glad the fellow changed the listing. Nice work.