The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Congrats Jerry. And thanks for the pics. Some interesting stuff.

Clay

What were they asking for the Schoolhouse? Did it sell?

Those machines are all great,but a victor toy in that shape would be my first pick.

I would LOVE to get a Victor toy..... If I'd been there you might have had competition, Jerry. Good score! Congrats!

Henry wrote:What were they asking for the Schoolhouse? Did it sell?

The Schoolhouse was still around today (Sunday) and I don't think it sold. Asking price was somewhere around $3600 if I remember correctly.

Jerry: My first guess was that you bought the Victor Toy, since you said you had some extra cash and wanted something special. It also ships easier to the West coast than a Schoolhouse.

Andreas

The machines I really liked were the ICS Gem C ($1500 asking), the Victor C ($4000 asking) with Johnson Exhibition, and the nickeled Columbia Eagle which sold. A Spring Motor was still for sale when we left the sale about noon today.

Stan and I both had a wonderful time at Wayne. One day at Dover. The next day spent doing all the Edison things at West Orange, Menlo Park, and Edison's home, Glenmont. Edison's grave is near his home and it was nice to visit. The next day was the parking lot at Wayne and Charlie Hummel's for the evening. Finally, it was the Wayne show for the morning and it's off to New York City. The Wayne show has a lot to offer and you've got to do it all. Jerry

Okay, that is IT!!!!, I am moving to the USA

The show looked great, as always!

Okay, that is IT!!!!, I am moving to the USA

Kirtley, you REALLY should consider doing just that. Even at your age, you must realise by now that the very weakest left-overs from Wayne show car-park will be infinitely better than the best items the UK fair, NVCF, will ever offer. I mean just imagine a Victor Schoolhouse model sitting in the car-park, for heaven's sake! When did anyone last see a complete, unbroken, working and good condition HMV Schoolhouse model? Back in the '70's?

Of course, like most sensible people, who live more than 30 minutes away from the event you probably won't be attending anyway. I know at least 8 people I've met over the years who have told me it isn't worth attending anymore and they won't be bothering. If things are even half as rosey as some like to predicate, then why doesn't an annual event like this attract more people interested in both buying and selling machines and records? There has to be a very good reason why this event (UK) will not be well supported and those of us who do attend like some religious pilgrimage every year know all too well what it is: there are very few collectors interested in talking machines attending for anyone to sell to. The radio side is still buzzing but the earlier technology sadly isn't. It is in terminal decline.

The antique trade in general also shuns anything mechanical from the world of talking machines. Ask a dealer if they've got any gramophones and usually you get a dismayed stare followed by a dismissive "We don't usually bother with things like that!". So is it a classic chicken and egg scenario? Do they not bother because no one ever asks them for it or do few people buy machines because they don't see them and get the opportunity?

I would like to believe and share the optimism that some have about this hobby and its future but sorry to say, I don't. Does it matter? Of course not.

kirtley2012 wrote:Okay, that is IT!!!!, I am moving to the USA

The show looked great, as always!

You are welcome any time Alex. The more phonograph aficionados here the better. Opps, no, wait a minute. That would mean more competition.

Clay

Henry wrote:What were they asking for the Schoolhouse? Did it sell?

does anyone recall by the way who was selling that schoolhouse machine?