Suggestions on selling a replica Victor Toy

[Jerry B.]

I am going to be offering this replica Victor Toy for sale. I have no desire to mislead anyone into thinking it is a genuine Victor Toy and my asking price will be about 10% of a genuine Victor Toy. I have been reading about the hand wind Berliner on eBay and have no desire to repeat that scenario.

I could sign and date the underside of the base with a sharpie indicating it's a replica. I could use lettering stamps and indent "reproduction" on the underside of the base. Any suggestions? (or buyers at $1400? )

Thanks, Jerry B.

[soundgen]

Columbia soundbox , coathanger horn support , silver motor , no trademark , so very obviously not original so don't worry , BUT no one here would pay $1400 Perhaps $200 - 300

[Roaring20s]

Scratch replica on the mechanical casted parts.

Sample description...

Modeled after a Victor Toy phonograph, this collector made machine is not historically accurate, but it's fun to demonstrate and display.

James.

[Jerry B.]

Columbia soundbox , coathanger horn support , silver motor , no trademark , so very obviously not original so don't worry , BUT no one here would pay $1400 Perhaps $200 - 300

The soundbox is original Aretino front mount and the turntable is an original Victor cast 7" turntable. I'll buy those parts all day long for $300. Only the late toys have a decal on the horn. I think this is much more accurate a reproduction than the Berliner that sold for over $2000. I do appreciate the reply.

Thanks, Jerry B.

[Jerry B.]

Scratch replica on the mechanical casted parts.

This machine is one of a small quantity that were made some time ago. I don't believe it's a "one off." I find it interesting that reproduction tinfoil machines are reasonably well respected and have good value. One sold at our recent O'TAPS meeting for around $2000 and the buyer knew it was reproduction. But it seems like a reasonably accurate reproduction of a very unusual disc machines is nearly worthless. Collectors set todays values but I still wonder why.

I think I'll stamp the underside of the oak base "reproduction." I appreciate the reply but I'm reluctant to scratch anything on the cast parts. Any other opinions? I am not offended by the above replies.

Thanks, Jerry B.

[gramophoneshane]

Perhaps engrave reproduction on the underside of the motor casting where it's hidden by the base board?
Then at least the motor can't be aged and passed off as authentic.
I was going to suggest the underside of turntable too but if it's an original part you don't want to do that.

As for price, I paid AU$600 for my reproduction trademark machine which I considered a real bargain for a good quality repro.
I think if this machine was here I'm sure I'd have to pay $800-1000 to get it, and if I got it for $600 I'd consider it a bargain too.

[Jerry B.]

I remember when the reproduction Trademark machines were originally available. If my memory is correct they were priced about the same as a nice original Victor R. I remember thinking I'd rather have the Victor R and it's roughly similar in appearance to the Berliner. If you want a tinfoil in your collection you have limited choices. If you have deep pockets you can buy an original for somewhere around $15,000 or you can locate a reproduction for about 10% or 15% of an original's price. For that price you can have a functioning tinfoil in your collection. What's the market value of an original Berliner hand wind? I'd estimate the value in the $25,000 neighborhood. So the eBay buyer, educated or not, paid about 10% of the value of an original. The Victor Toy is similar. Victor made nothing similar with subsequent models. If you want an original Victor Toy you will spend between $10,000 and $15,000. I'm asking about 10% the value of an original. I never asked for a value on my machine. The purpose of my post was to avoid future misrepresentation of my machine, nothing more and nothing less.

When we are asked for a value we should reply what we think an item is worth in the marketplace and not what we would spend on that particular machine. A portable suitcase Victrola is a good example. I used to say that I would not walk across the street for a free suitcase machine and that's true. That may mean it has little or no value to me but that is not an accurate estimate of value. A more accurate reply might be that I saw a nice variety of portable machines at the last Buena Park Expo and they were priced from $100 to $200. Plus I saw them in the arms of happy buyers.

Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Blais

[Curt A]

Jerry,
You are right about the prices of replica tinfoil machines... Personally, I don't get it. You are also right to price your machine any way you want to. There are no price guides for any of this stuff. If someone wants an original, they better do a lot of research and be willing to pay whatever it takes to get one. The only REAL issue with the Berliner replica was that it wasn't represented as a replica, so it was misleading...

[CarlosV]

This is a nice reproduction, and will be welcome in most collections. As to the original question, my suggestion is to engrave in the bottom of the wood base - you could do a pyrography - something in the lines of *Victor Toy Model - manufactured in 2021*. It will give it a reference to the orginal while clearly indicating it is not intended to be a forgery.

[gramophone78]

Try posting it in our Yankee Trader...
I'm sure a member would like it