Why so much for a "non-functional" wooden display?

[Zwebie]

Why so much for a "non-functional" wooden display of a Kruesi Tinfoil?
Say's it was made around 1928-29, by Edison for "promotional purposes"???

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353828153785?_ ... 0290.m3507

[soundgen]

6 bidders think so

[TinfoilPhono]

This is what the seller represents: a (non-functional) replica made by the Edison company around 1928-1929 for promotional displays in conjunction with belated anniversary celebrations. As such, it is one of the oldest tinfoil replicas in existence. And, technically speaking it is a genuine Edison tinfoil phonograph.

The listing says it's the third known. He probably got that information, as well as the last photo, from my own website (http://www.edisontinfoil.com/kruesi.htm) where I mention that I was aware of two. This one does raise the census to three, though I suspect there are still a few yet to be uncovered. Still, it's likely that very few were made, and far fewer have survived after nearly a century.

So while it's "just" a wooden replica, it's a far more significant one than most. I'm not surprised by the bidding. I value it far more than a modern working replica Kruesi.

[TinfoilPhono]

Sold for $4,627.

[Granby]

I think those Ediphones in the background of that old photo would be more in "my" budget these days.....

A little off topic, but I couldn't resist......