My New Vic-tory Room~ for love of music!

[phonogfp]

Congratulations! Not only do you have some beautiful Victrolas, but now you have a dedicated space in which to enjoy them. I've known very few collectors who restrict their interest to a single manufacturer; your restraint is admirable!

As far as the cerebral contemplation of the artifacts that surround us and those who are no longer to be seen, either you get it or you don't. Consider yourself blessed.

George P.

[gemering]

Pooley Flat-Tops, Vernis-Martin, a Victrola XX, Seventeens everywhere!!!!!
I sometimes try to imagine what heaven would look like to a phonograph collector.
Your new room is certainly close.
Congratulations!
Gene

[dennis]

Your "Victrolas on a shelf" reminds me of Bellm's in Sarasota. Anyone remember that place? It was a phono collector's wonderland.

[Ivor-Duncombe]

Awesome is the word for it!

I have an elderly friend whose whole house (with additions) is a museum. He collects and has expert knowledge on everything that he collects from assegais to zylophones, including everything you can think of in between. In his main passage hangs a framed sign "I'm not going if you can't take it with you." I'm a little envious of his collection and knowledge, but I am glad that it isn't mine. My friend conducts a tour through his museum (a party of about eight to twelve people is about the norm)once or twice a week. The tour seldom lasts less than 3 hours and includes a super tea.

Whilst I enjoy his tours (where I learn something knew about something else on every repeat), I derive my collector's pleasure from time spent with groups of children on a veranda or at a picnic under a shady tree on a soft green lawn introducing then to the all-but lost world of gramophones. My Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby and fifties hits seem to go down pretty well. Very interested children have been encouraged to wind the machine (usually an HMV 102), to change the needle and record, and to start the machine playing. These youngsters have not damaged a record or a machine yet, so intent and careful are they when following instructions. Of course the records are wearing out (almost imperceptibly), but I do have duplicates of most of them. But who cares if they wear out - doing what they were intended to do?

[Uncle Vanya]

What a stunning display!

[phonogal]

That room and all the beautiful Victors would be a dream come true for most collectors. You are a lucky lady indeed!

[zenith82]

Very nice! I'd say it was a pain getting those consoles up on the second shelf. Hope you had help to do it!

I also wonder about who owned these machines (and other antiques), what their story was, and what role the piece played in their lives. Odds are, especially in the 1910-1925 timeframe, that phonograph was the family gathering spot on a Saturday night.

[Phonolair]

What a absolutely stunning display. These machines have been very lucky their whole life, having owners that's enjoyed, respected and took good care of them even as they became out dated for their time. And now your making sure they are taken care of for generations to come. I'm sure the original owners of these machine would be very grateful for your efforts if they could tell you so.
Best Regards, Larry

[LadyHawke]

Thank you so much everyone! I appreciate all your kind words! I did look and will continue to enjoy, your comments and collections. I too enjoy looking at all types and seeing the discussions here. You learn something new every time you are here I enjoy being a small part in sharing with the group. thanks again!

[Iva]

HA! My husband would leave me...lol

and I'm sooooo jealous...well..not jealous.but I would love love love to just hang out in there for I don't know... a lifetime?..heh