who has the largest collection?

[phonogfp]

I believe Goerge was referring to the Edison B-275 that the (electrified?) Zonophone is sitting on.

Never heard it referred to by that number. It is an EDison SI-19 # 1556. Hope that helps. Ed

That makes perfect sense. In 1919 the B-275 was renamed the S (Sheraton) I (Inlaid) - 19. I noted that it has no lock for the lid, and wondered if it was later production. It is!

Thanks for checking it for me.

George P.

[Kirkwood]

Thanks you so much for posting the additional pics of the Victrola VV 346-501, those lovely clear images really show the skill of the Victor craftsmen. I doubt that I'll ever see another one.

You seem to have kept the collection limited to those machines in excellent original condition. Good for you! Not as easy to do now, but it wasn't always easy 25 years ago either.

[EFearing]

Thanks you so much for posting the additional pics of the Victrola VV 346-501, those lovely clear images really show the skill of the Victor craftsmen. I doubt that I'll ever see another one.

You seem to have kept the collection limited to those machines in excellent original condition. Good for you! Not as easy to do now, but it wasn't always easy 25 years ago either.

I must confess that most of the machines that I have aquired were not in such good shape. I have had to refinish and rebuild many of them. The really good ones tend to bring a higher price than this school teacher's salary could afford! I will say that I have some wonderful friends who are auctioneers like me,(a sideline job to feed my habit) who scour the east coast for phonos that they think I would like. It's from these sources that I have found most of my collection. One friend in particular who is a circuit riding auctioneer, and "auctions" at several auctions each week has foumd for me the biggest part of my collection. To him I am deeply indebted

[FloridaClay]

The biggest phonograph collection (and so much more) ANYWHERE has to be that of Jasper Sanfilippo. He opens his house to the public for self-guided tours the same weekend as the swap meet in Union, Illinois. Trust me, no one is ever prepared for what they will see there - it defies adequate description. If you had a few hundred million to spend building a collection, this is what it would look like! It is the Mecca of phonographs (and all other forms of mechanical music) and everyone should make a pilgrimage to see it at least once.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Musique

http://www.placedelamusique.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6s7lNXQ-Wo

I am a member of the Musical Box Society International. MBSI is having its 2013 annual national meeting in the Chicago area next year and the Sanfilippo collection is one of the places we are scheduled to tour. Really looking forward to that, as other members say it is one of the best collections in the country.

"EFearing" you have some real beauties!

Clay

[STARR-OLA]

thats a beautiful phonograph Victrola VV 346-501,ive never saw one in real life,im up in canada.wonder if thats why? thanks for the pics again.

[gramophone78]

I believe there is at least one in Victoria. Unless it's been sold and gone elsewhere...??.

[phonogfp]

MBSI is having its 2013 annual national meeting in the Chicago area next year and the Sanfilippo collection is one of the places we are scheduled to tour. Really looking forward to that, as other members say it is one of the best collections in the country.Clay

You're in for a treat. When my co-author and I were writing books, we were told about Jasper's collection, and those who told us were knowledgeable collectors not prone to exaggeration. Still, we had been shooting images in dozens of collections, the Edison National Historic Site, etc., and couldn't imagine something like what was being described to us. When we walked in, it was beyond imagination. The way I try to describe it is to imagine if Disney World (or Disneyland) built an opulent mansion for some Victorian tycoon who was crazy about mechanical music. Imagine all the soaring arches, thousands of light bulbs, polished floors, and the most wonderful antique music machines you've ever seen... That's really the best I can do. I've been back probably 10 times (and we had the run of the place one Sunday when we shot the talking machines for our books), but I envy first-timers that initial visit!

George P.

[EFearing]

The biggest phonograph collection (and so much more) ANYWHERE has to be that of Jasper Sanfilippo. He opens his house to the public for self-guided tours the same weekend as the swap meet in Union, Illinois. Trust me, no one is ever prepared for what they will see there - it defies adequate description. If you had a few hundred million to spend building a collection, this is what it would look like! It is the Mecca of phonographs (and all other forms of mechanical music) and everyone should make a pilgrimage to see it at least once.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Musique

http://www.placedelamusique.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6s7lNXQ-Wo

I am a member of the Musical Box Society International. MBSI is having its 2013 annual national meeting in the Chicago area next year and the Sanfilippo collection is one of the places we are scheduled to tour. Really looking forward to that, as other members say it is one of the best collections in the count

"EFearing" you have some real beauties!

Clay

Clay, thanks for the kind remark on my collection. I collect what I like and enjoy every one, even though they have gotten a little crowded now. I also have several music boxes as well as player pianos and nickleodeons. Anything to make music!! I have seen the Sanfilippo collection and was blown away, made mine look like junk, but his budget was a little larger than mine!