The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Do you have any portable Victrolas in the collection? Beginning collectors may like them for a starter machine.

You might try some of the larger auction houses in central NC.

Bobby Langston in Wilson, NC is close to I-95 and has a nice auction facility.

http://www.langstonantiques.com/

Leland Little handles many large estates and auctions, is located in Hillsborough, NC right off of I-85.

http://www.llauctions.com/

I've found that collectors will make the trip for a major sale--and your collection certainly sounds as though it would fit that description! I'd also suggest that you not sell off items piecemeal from the collection, since that would make the remainder all that less attractive to auction-goers and auctioneers. As for location, suffice it to say that thanks to the internet and remote bidding collectors who cannot make it to the sale in person can certainly participate. Very sorry to hear about the circumstances of the sale. Please keep us posed as to the eventual dispersal, ie the auction listing!

http://www.prestonopportunities.com/

Near Atlanta but I'm unsure if he still does auction. It might be worth a call

Ed, I am in Mooresville, NC and part of the Carolina Antique Music & Phonograph Society - www.carolinaphonosociety.com - why don't you email me your info and I will pass it on to our members who may very well be interested in purchasing them from you directly, so you can avoid commissions and charges.

My email is: info(at)carolinaphonosociety(dot)com

I know that there are more than a few members who would like to view and buy your machines...
Curt

PS - Auctions can be very disappointing. Brady Jeffcoat's auction ruined it for a lot of people, since he was billed as having a very good collection. People who paid top dollar for his stuff, found that he had rigged up a lot of it and used things like plumbing parts to repair his machines... This past weekend an auction in Statesville, was great for buyers, but sickening for the long time collector that sold his stuff - example: oak C-19 in great condition with 31 rare diamond discs went for $60. 150-200 diamond discs sold for $20 and boxes of amberol cylinders (30+ per box) went for $15. So, if you want to get a fair price and don't want to ship them to Stantons, please contact us...

Unfortunately, the bulk buyers appear to all have been at Stanton's this past weekend, for their three day sale. The poor sales prices may have had much to do with timing, though Chippendale Lab Models have not done too well of late years. I purchased a pretty nice C-250, with a good diamond point for $60 at Stanton's this past weekend, but on the other hand, a nice C-19 in Antique Oak sold for $650. Steve Stanton long since learned that records should be sold separately from their machines, particularly if the records are any good. Machine collectors often are not willing to pay for premium records, and many record collectors have no use at all for machines.

Curt A wrote:PS - Auctions can be very disappointing. Brady Jeffcoat's auction ruined it for a lot of people, since he was billed as having a very good collection. People who paid top dollar for his stuff, found that he had rigged up a lot of it and used things like plumbing parts to repair his machines... This past weekend an auction in Statesville, was great for buyers, but sickening for the long time collector that sold his stuff - example: oak C-19 in great condition with 31 rare diamond discs went for $60. 150-200 diamond discs sold for $20 and boxes of amberol cylinders (30+ per box) went for $15. So, if you want to get a fair price and don't want to ship them to Stantons, please contact us...

Totally agree. Auctions can be very fickle and prices realized may be very disappointing to the seller. If you want to safeguard your investment, it would be best to sell the phonos yourself. This would also avoid fees associated with the auction process. There are a number of collectors here in NC that would certainly be interested. If you have a list with asking prices, it would be helpful to share it with potential buyers in the region. Please send me a copy of the list if you decide to sell yourself.

yankmycrank wrote:I've found that collectors will make the trip for a major sale--and your collection certainly sounds as though it would fit that description! I'd also suggest that you not sell off items piecemeal from the collection, since that would make the remainder all that less attractive to auction-goers and auctioneers.

Curt A wrote:Ed, I am in Mooresville, NC and part of the Carolina Antique Music & Phonograph Society - http://www.carolinaphonosociety.com - why don't you email me your info and I will pass it on to our members who may very well be interested in purchasing them from you directly, so you can avoid commissions and charges. I know that there are more than a few members who would like to view and buy your machines...

Quite a dilemma. I know I would not travel a far distance for an auction or sale if knowing all the best pieces were cherry-picked and sold beforehand, leaving the more common items behind.

Have you conisidered offering the collection intact? We are interested. Cheers, Russie