Attracting people to our hobby

[celticguitar666]

I am 59 and had parents who were older. we had an Edison cylinder machine that sadly went to dump when I was a teenager( it rusted away in the basement) But my comics went to the dump while I was in school so I wasn't surprised. I listened to 78's when I was younger. I bought a Victrola about 20 years ago which I still have I have 3 more machines now. I also collected vintage electronics reel to reel decks cassette decks turntables receivers speakers etc. so my basement is a little time machine and my younger friends see things that they only would see in a museum or in the movies so they are usually interested and surprised by the sound quality especially my vintage stereo system that is all high end stuff from the 70's Getting people interested in our stuff is tough modern entertainment makers are having a hard time too
It's All about the phone man
Dwight

[Phonofreak]

My experience is quite different, and ended up with a sale. A few years ago, I went to the Navy base in Bremerton, WA to do some shopping. In the trunk of my car, I had a horn and some cylinders and disks that I had just bought. I had the lucky random number to have my car searched. I told the guard, a Sailor, that I had some fragile items in my car, to be careful. He saw the horn and records and was asking lots of questions. Anyway, after my search was completed, he was asking more questions because he had just got relieved from watch. He was very interested in phonographs and wanted a good cylinder phonograph to buy. We exchanged contact information, and kept in touch. He bought an Edison 2/4 Standard Model B with a reproduction BB horn. I included 2 and 4 min cylinders to help him get started. I brought the machine to his quarters in base housing to demonstrate. He and his wife thought it was really cool, and bought it. We kept in contact for nearly a year, before he transferred. I lost contact with that Sailor, and hope fully he is a collector, now.
Harvey Kravitz

[obmcclintock]

Thanks Brad, That is so COOL!!!

[phonogal]

Thanks to everyone that has posted thus far. Lots of very good ideas and I've really enjoyed reading about the different experiences. We have a local attraction, Heritage Village, that has old period buildings and artifacts from the area. They have a festival every year that includes demonstrations like weaving,soap making,blacksmithing etc. I have thought about contacting them to see if they would be interested.

[Orchorsol]

Thanks to everyone that has posted thus far. Lots of very good ideas and I've really enjoyed reading about the different experiences. We have a local attraction, Heritage Village, that has old period buildings and artifacts from the area. They have a festival every year that includes demonstrations like weaving,soap making,blacksmithing etc. I have thought about contacting them to see if they would be interested.

I'd definitely recommend it! I take a couple of gramophones to our local antiques, vintage & retro market once or twice a month and spin 78s all day. It's extremely enjoyable, especially when people dance spontaneously or when children are entranced. I've started a number of people off with our passion! And the event organisers are extremely grateful, as the the music, and then the sight of the machines making it, draw people in from the street.

One thing leads to another and I've now been asked to be 78 DJ for the local monthly Fringe evening (comedy, poetry, performance art, music), beforehand and during the interval.

[fran604g]

I'm a retired special education teacher. In the later years of my career I mostly taught teachers-- but while I was still in the classrooms I would do an annual "Phonograph Day"-- usually around Edison's birthday. I mostly did presentations for 3rd through 6th graders -- both special education and general education students. I'd do 3 or 4 presentations throughout the day for different grade levels. It was a great way to encourage inclusion of the special needs kiddos, too. I'd take 5 or 6 machines, a few Nipper items (including a couple large stuffed ones from the 80's---always a hit!), and a selection of records that the kids may recognize (Farmer in the Dell, America the Beautiful, Jack and Jill, etc-- The kids always loved the Spike Jones' parodies-- especially "Bubble Gum" and "You Always Hurt the One You Love"-- Most had no idea what a "record" was-- so I always had a few "expendables" on hand to pass through the crowd (only a couple breaks over at least a dozen years of doing it). I'd pass around cylinders, 78's, Diamond Discs, 45's, 33's, cassettes and CD's as I talked about the changes in sound recordings over the years. Letting them hold history was a way to activate their brains and let them know that history doesn't have to be hands-off.
Yes-- there were a few mishaps over the years-- A Suitcase Home that fell off the 4 wheel cart when my 6th grade 'helper' took a corner too fast- but all in all it was a great experience. The younger kids tend to enjoy anything different from the normal daily routine-- I'd encourage folks that are interested to contact their local elementary school and see about doing a display or a presentation-- It's definitely fun!
Brad

Brad, thank you for that.

What better person to emulate than a special education professional? Great pointers! I feel inspired.

Fran

[welshfield]

Thanks Brad. Maybe I'll consider proposing this to our grade school.
My other interest is in antique cars, 1928 Dodges to be exact. I occasionally bring a 1928 "Orthopohonic" portable with a few records along to shows, but often it's too confusing and crowded to make much of it. Nonetheless, it may make a difference to someone.
John

[ambrola]

I think George and Tim have added alot to bring new collectors into our hobby. Without their books, along with Baumback, Frowe and some others, I wouldn't have knew what's right or wrong with a given machine. Also, I think if you come across a young person that has interest, be careful what type music you play for them. Who has ever played a Collins and Harlan cylinder all the way through, ha ha. The number one thing is if they ask about buying, treat them good. I will never forget my first couple machines and the guy that sold them to me at 2 times the going price. But live and learn. I think if I had a young guy or girl show a lot of interest I would give them an old Standard or Home and a couple cylinders.

[OrthoSean]

I think if I had a young guy or girl show a lot of interest I would give them an old Standard or Home and a couple cylinders.

I've given quite a number of budding collectors lots of stuff, especially records by the box / car full. I've recently connected with a local guy who's still in high school and fascinated by machines and the music. In the Spring, when the mountains of snow have melted from in front of my storage building's doors, he's coming over and I've already told him I have two machines for him, free. One's a nice complete Victor 210 that really needs nothing so he can enjoy one right away and the other is a machine he can fiddle with and fix up a little with my help. To me, getting others interested in this hobby is far more rewarding than any potential profits.

Sean

[fran604g]

I think George and Tim have added alot to bring new collectors into our hobby. Without their books, along with Baumback, Frowe and some others, I wouldn't have knew what's right or wrong with a given machine.

I couldn't agree more. George has been indispensable for me, personally. If it weren't for my meeting him and spending time with him, and his and Tim's books, I wouldn't be half as interested in the hobby.

Knowledge is the key!