Sonora value

[Altona1]

Just curious as to what the value of this working Sonora console would be worth, and
how would one go about fixing up the finish where it looks like some pieces of the finish are missing
on the second last picture. Thanks as always.

[gramophoneshane]

They're baaack

That's one of those super cool super rare super valuable super artsy super human Sonora models with solid gold motor and hand squished from a bees backside

But seriously, it appears to be one of Sonora's high-end "De Luxe Period Models"- The Queen Anne.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... el&start=0

Very nice machines in high quality cabinets with some unusual features such as a HUGE gold plated Paillard motor & an indicator that tells you how many records you have left to play before the motor needs winding again. If I remember correctly they were capable of playing 12 sides.
I think the last De Luxe Period model that appeared on Ebay had an opening bid of $600 & got 0 bids, but one of our members bought it at a reduced price after the auction closed.
I cant really help with an accurate value, but I assume that with the poor finish & being one of the less fancy cabinets, somewhere around $400 would be close in USA?

[estott]

I'm no expert. The wood tone arm is a good feature, but console models like this are not highly sought after by collectors, plus there is some damage. Even with some repairs I don't think this would be worth more than about $300, and that is if someone is interested in it.

It is a very nice machine and when new it would have cost quite a bit of money. You can improve the look of the cabinet by cleaning it with Go Jo hand cleaner (the plain kind without pumice) then fixing the damaged areas by rubbing them down with very fine steel wool and applying Howards Restor A Finish.

[antique1973]

I am thinking $300 on the top end as well.

[Victrolaman]

Hi,
This may be a period model, I have to look in my Brochure but to me those are worth more than 300?
The wooden tone arm is a nice option. If this is not a Period model then the wooden tone arm was a upgrade. I need to look at my Sonoroa Period model brochures i have and see if this is one.
If you like you can go to Youtube and see mine. I had the Electric light in mine Prof restored. Mine is all original.
Just type in Sonora Art case model on youtube and it will come right up.
But like the other posts say Consoles are in not to much a big demand, but if its a period model then it is worth more.
But like anything else somethins is only worth what someone wants to pay for it, Mine i wouldnt take 4k for it and i have been offered a good sum for the one i have. I think if you clean yours up fix the tone arm, the reproducer should be rebuilt to with new gaskets and so on and enjoy it!
If you need any help on redoing the reproducer send me a Private message and i would be more than happy to help you

[phonogfp]

Here's an earlier thread with information on the Period Models...

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... del#p33991

George P.

[estott]

I don't think just being a Period Model is anything unusual. With some companies (Cheney and the Edison disc machines are good examples) anything higher than the very cheapest models was a Period style. Even the Sears catalog offered their Silvertone machines in what they called Louis XVI cases.

[Victrolaman]

The Period models that Sonora made were all custom made to order. They were very expensive. Basically if you wanted one of those you paid for it and it was made for you. I dont think the dealer had these in the store, unless for display. Or maybe the home office store in NYC had them. I dont have the exact cost for the period models but they were far more than the average models. The brochures i have didnt list prices, One of the brochures i have someone wrote in pencil the prices of a few of them.

I need to look and see if this is one or not. Being a console type and having the wooden tone arm it may be. Mine has the motor meter option on it, this one doesnt. I didnt see the drawer in there either.
They are not super rare i see 1 or so a year come up on ebay but they are no where near as common as the other ones. For Edison, Victor or any maker of the time that had these type.

[gramophoneshane]

I don't think just being a Period Model is anything unusual. With some companies (Cheney and the Edison disc machines are good examples) anything higher than the very cheapest models was a Period style. Even the Sears catalog offered their Silvertone machines in what they called Louis XVI cases.

Yes, but this is an art case model so it's special

Admittedly, these were very expensive originally, and some of the De Luxe Period cabinets were very nice & high quality, but when it all boils down to it, they're just a nice cabinet with Swiss works & mediochre sound, and they dont seem to spark too much interest or value with most collectors apart from 1 or 2 people that own one.

This IS the Queen Anne model as both myself & George pointed out with links to Georges catalogue, but it appears to be one of the plainer less decorative models, so I dont think it would be worth any more than the prices quoted above.

[Victrolaman]

I just looked at my Brochure and yours appears to be the Queen Anne Period Model. Also if you look at the post above someone posted a link to another Discussion and they have the period models listed in the catalog and you can see yours on the lower right side Queen Anne Model. Congrats on finding this