Al Choffnes, RIP

[Raphael]

Sad to announce that my friend and colleague, Al Choffnes, passed away yesterday after battling Parkinson's Disease for over 25 years. Al was unique in many ways. Primarily a music box collector and dealer (Collectors World, Inc.), and although not much of an antique phonograph collector or dealer, he had his share of them.

Al was a mechanical genius, who could take a Regina auto-changer apart down to the very last screw and reassemble it blindfolded.

He also had a photographic memory, and I would consult with him often over the years to ask him about something that I had previously owned and he would have ten times the information in his brain than I did. He could recite details and specifications on just about any piece of mechanical music, from cylinder boxes to orchestrions.

He was also a past president of the Music Box Society International.

One of the nicest fellows I've ever met, who called me from his deathbed to inquire about recent floods we had in my area.

Raphael

[edisonclassm]

So sorry to hear of Al's passing. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.

[phonospud]

I have fond memories of Al from seeing him and chatting about music boxes at the old Union show.
RIP. My condolences to Al’s family. I understand he was battling health issues for some time.

[phonospud]

I have fond memories of Al from seeing him and chatting about music boxes at the old Union show.
RIP. My condolences to Al’s family. I understand he was battling health issues for some time.

[Phono-Phan]

Sad to hear the news. I always enjoyed his booth at the Union Show. A true treasure is lost.

[KC Kent]

Very sorry to hear this. Always stopped by Al's booth just inside the door at Union to look at and learn about music boxes. He was always patient in explaining the different models - never thought I could afford one. I especially loved a small tabletop coin operated Regina. As you may remember his son, who came to the show with Al was into phonographs.

Long story (two years) short, I traded Al (his son) 11 phonographs - mostly common inside horn machines for the beautiful Regina pictured here. Years later I acquired another Regina but this remains my favorite.